Researchers have identified the Alps and Pyrenees as promising sites for natural hydrogen exploration, potentially unlocking a key resource for the clean energy transition. The findings, published in the Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, suggest that mountain-building processes in these ranges created conditions for hydrogen production and storage.
Mountain Building as a Hydrogen Source
Hydrogen is expected to play a central role in phasing out fossil fuels, especially in hard-to-decarbonize industries like chemical production, shipping, and steelmaking. However, synthetic hydrogen production is energy-intensive and costly. Natural hydrogen, produced by geological processes, could offer a more sustainable alternative.
The research team used plate tectonic simulations to analyze the Pyrenees, Alps, and Baetic mountain ranges. They assessed whether the mountain-building events were likely to have generated and stored hydrogen. The models showed that in the Alps and Pyrenees, deep mantle rocks were brought to the surface at optimal speeds, reacting with water to release hydrogen, which then accumulated in porous rock layers above.
Contrasting Results in the Baetic Mountains
In contrast, the Baetic mountains in southern Spain exhibited faster rates of uplift and erosion. This rapid process provided insufficient time for large volumes of hydrogen to be produced and likely removed potential reservoir rocks, making them less suitable for exploration.
According to the researchers, these methods can now be applied to other mountain ranges worldwide to identify additional natural hydrogen sources. The study highlights the potential of orogenic belts as exploration targets for this clean fuel.
