Unveiling Earth's Hidden Treasure: The Potential of Subsurface Hydrogen Reserves
Key Ideas
  • Geologists from the U.S. Geological Survey in Denver unveil a groundbreaking model estimating up to 5.6 x 106 million metric tons of natural hydrogen in Earth's subsurface.
  • Natural hydrogen can be formed through chemical reactions in rocks and is potentially accessible in vast reservoirs beneath the Earth's surface.
  • Harvesting just 2% of the estimated hydrogen reserves could potentially fulfill humanity's energy needs for around two centuries, indicating a significant energy source.
  • The research provides valuable insights into the potential of hydrogen as an abundant and untapped energy resource, highlighting possibilities for future energy sustainability.
Geologists Geoffrey Ellis and Sarah Gelman from the U.S. Geological Survey in Denver have developed a model suggesting that Earth's subsurface might harbor a staggering 5.6 x 106 million metric tons of natural hydrogen. This estimate stems from advancements in understanding how hydrogen is naturally produced through geological processes, challenging previous assumptions about its scarcity. The duo's research, published in Science Advances, showcases the vast potential of subsurface hydrogen reserves, which are formed through chemical reactions in rocks. By leveraging a comprehensive geological model, the researchers calculated the range of hydrogen present in the Earth's stratum, emphasizing the enormous energy resource lying beneath our feet. While acknowledging the challenges of accessing most of the hydrogen, the study highlights that harvesting even a small fraction could revolutionize global energy sustainability for generations to come. This innovative work sheds light on the untapped energy potential of hydrogen and opens up avenues for further exploration and utilization of this abundant resource.
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