'A secret beneath 30 US states': Hidden hydrogen reserves that could power Earth for 200 years
Produced by: Mohsin Shaikh
Gold Hydrogen
Massive reserves of naturally occurring hydrogen, dubbed "gold hydrogen," have been discovered deep beneath the surface of at least 30 U.S. states, challenging long-held beliefs about hydrogen availability.
Credit: U.S. Geological Survey
Game-Changer
A groundbreaking map from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) reveals high-potential hydrogen reserves in regions like Michigan, Kentucky, and North Dakota.
Credit: U.S. Geological Survey
Hidden Resource
Natural hydrogen forms as water reacts with rocks deep in the Earth’s crust, creating reservoirs previously thought too small to use.
Clean Potential
Hydrogen burns cleanly, producing only water vapor, making it a crucial player in the global shift toward sustainable energy.
Sarah Ryker
Sarah Ryker, USGS associate director, emphasizes that this discovery could revolutionize energy exploration.
Representative pic
Future Fuel
Gold hydrogen could decarbonize industries, power vehicles, and serve as a renewable energy storage solution.
Extraction Challenges
Capturing hydrogen efficiently is difficult due to its light, elusive nature, requiring advanced technologies for deep underground reservoirs.
Infrastructure Needs
A robust network for hydrogen storage, transport, and distribution is essential for integrating it into the energy market.
Green Revolution
With global hydrogen demand rising, geologic hydrogen may drive the clean energy transition, providing a zero-carbon alternative to fossil fuels.