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Three-dimensional volumetric plots display monthly methane (CH4) mole fractions. We present the monthly averages of the three-dimensional mole fractions of CH4 simulated by CarbonTracker-CH4 using optimized surface fluxes. The units are nanomoles of CH4 per mole of dry air (nmol mol-1, ppb), and the values are indicated by the color scale. The vertical layers of volume plots consist of 25 model layers in TM5; therefore, the altitude information is an approximation. More information on the model layers of TM5 can be found in the 'Documentation.' Gradients in CH4 concentration result from exchanges between the atmosphere and the Earth's surface, including emissions from fossil, microbial, and pyrogenic sources. These gradients are subsequently transported by weather systems, gradually diminishing through atmospheric mixing.

*The 3-D visualization plots were created as part of the CS529: Visual Data Science and CS524: Big Data Analysis and Visualization courses at the University of Illinois Chicago by Matthew Ziminski.