By Climate Correspondent
February 20, 2025: In a discovery that could reshape the global energy landscape, scientists have identified vast underground reserves of white hydrogen — a naturally occurring, clean-burning fuel — beneath mountain ranges like the European Alps, Pyrenees, and the Himalayas.
This “geologic hydrogen” forms through ancient Earth processes and could offer a game-changing alternative to fossil fuels, according to a study published in Science Advances .
Accidental energy explosion
The story of white hydrogen began unexpectedly in 1987, when a worker in Mali lit a cigarette near a water well, triggering an explosion. Scientists later realized the blast was caused by natural hydrogen leaking from underground. Decades later, that same well now powers a village — a hint of the fuel’s untapped potential.
Today, advanced tectonic plate simulations reveal that mountain ranges formed by colliding continents — like the Alps — are ideal for hydrogen production. When mantle rocks rise to the surface, they undergo serpentinization: a chemical reaction where water and iron-rich minerals combine to produce hydrogen.
Mountains as hydrogen factories
Mountains outperform other geologic settings by a staggering margin. According to the study, regions like the Pyrenees generate 20 times more hydrogen annually than rift zones (where continents split apart) due to cooler temperatures and better water circulation.
Over millions of years, continental collisions push mantle rocks upward. Cracks in the Earth allow water to seep deep and react with rocks. Porous rock layers trap hydrogen, creating drillable deposits.
“Mountains aren’t just scenery—they’re natural hydrogen powerhouses,” said Dr. Frank Zwaan, the study’s lead author. “This could be the birth of a new energy industry”.
Next steps
The discovery is promising, but some hurdles need to be overcome. The foremost is finding reservoirs. Hydrogen is light and can easily escape through rock pores. Hence, AI is a good tool to locate reservoirs.
Another concern is the expense. Drilling and infrastructure development could take decades. Early exploration is already underway in France and the U.S.
Most hydrogen today is made from natural gas, but white hydrogen avoids carbon emissions entirely.
Geoffrey Ellis, a USGS geochemist, cautions optimism: “This isn’t a miracle cure, but it’s a vital piece of the clean energy puzzle.”
Future
If harnessed, white hydrogen could transform industries like aviation and steelmaking, which require high-energy fuels. Recent estimates suggest that tapping just 2% of Earth’s natural hydrogen could meet global demand for 200 years.
Countries are racing to explore mountainous regions, with projects launching in the Balkans, France, and the Himalayas. As Dr. Zwaan notes, “Oil was once a curiosity too. With the right tech, hydrogen could follow the same path”
Why this matters
With the climate crisis escalating, white hydrogen offers a rare bright spot: a clean fuel that doesn’t rely on fossil fuels or costly synthetic production. While challenges persist, this discovery could accelerate the shift to a greener economy — one mountain at a time.
For further details, refer to the study in Science Advances and ongoing research at the GFZ Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences.