The swamp gas explanation is a natural theory suggesting that lights reported as UFOs actually originated from gases in marshy areas.
Swamp gas is a common term for methane, a colorless, flammable gas produced when organic matter decomposes without oxygen. Methane and related biogases also form in swamps, peat bogs, rice paddies, and sewage and manure lagoons.
In the mid-1960s in the United States, swamp gas was proposed as a conventional explanation for reports of mysterious lights over wet areas. This was a suggested natural explanation, not proof that all reports stemmed from gas: methane from swamps typically does not spontaneously ignite in the air, and the appearance of a flame or glow may require additional gases and an ignition source.
Today, methane is considered one of several ordinary environmental factors that might be mistakenly interpreted as a UFO, alongside stars, airplanes, drones, and balloons. Concurrently, methane produced in swamps and landfills is sometimes collected as biogas and used for energy generation.
It's a common term for methane, a colorless, flammable gas produced when organic matter decomposes without oxygen.
It was proposed as a natural explanation for some reports of lights over wet areas. This doesn't prove it explains all of them.
Generally, no. The appearance of a flame or glow may require additional gases and an ignition source.
Yes. Methane collected from swamps and landfills can be used as biogas for energy generation.