Natural Hydrogen Latest News
Recently, the American Association of Petroleum Geologists and USGS have started formal hydrogen exploration initiatives.
What is Natural Hydrogen?
- Hydrogen is considered the fuel of the future due to its potential to decarbonise the global economy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions significantly.
- Natural hydrogen, also known as white hydrogen, refers to naturally occurring molecular hydrogen in the Earth’s crust, unlike industrially produced hydrogen.
How is Natural Hydrogen Formed?
- It is generated through geological processes, primarily:
- Serpentinisation – a reaction between water and iron-rich rocks.
- Radiolysis – breakdown of water molecules by radioactive rocks.
- Decomposition of organic matter in deep geological formations.
Why is Natural Hydrogen Important?
- Natural hydrogen is a clean energy source that, if harvested sustainably, can significantly reduce carbon emissions.
- It can provide a low-cost and low-emission alternative to conventional hydrogen sources like grey hydrogen (from natural gas) and green hydrogen (from renewable electricity).
- The cost of natural hydrogen extraction may fall to around $1/kg or less, which is lower than current green hydrogen production costs.
- Natural hydrogen is typically associated with tectonically active regions, ultramafic and basaltic rocks, ophiolite complexes, and hydrothermal systems.
- In India, potential-rich regions include:
- Cratonic belts (e.g., Dharwar, Singhbhum)
- Sedimentary basins (e.g., Vindhyan, Cuddapah, Gondwana, Chhattisgarh)
- Ophiolitic zones in the Andaman Islands and Himalayas.
- Basement rock fracture zones and hot springs.
Source: TH
Last updated on June, 2025
→ UPSC Notification 2025 was released on 22nd January 2025.
→ UPSC Prelims Result 2025 is out now for the CSE held on 25 May 2025.
→ UPSC Prelims Question Paper 2025 and Unofficial Prelims Answer Key 2025 are available now.
→ UPSC Calendar 2026 is released on 15th May, 2025.
→ The UPSC Vacancy 2025 were released 1129, out of which 979 were for UPSC CSE and remaining 150 are for UPSC IFoS.
→ UPSC Mains 2025 will be conducted on 22nd August 2025.
→ UPSC Prelims 2026 will be conducted on 24th May, 2026 & UPSC Mains 2026 will be conducted on 21st August 2026.
→ The UPSC Selection Process is of 3 stages-Prelims, Mains and Interview.
→ UPSC Result 2024 is released with latest UPSC Marksheet 2024. Check Now!
→ UPSC Toppers List 2024 is released now. Shakti Dubey is UPSC AIR 1 2024 Topper.
→ Also check Best IAS Coaching in Delhi
Natural Hydrogen FAQs
Q1. What is Natural Hydrogen?+
Q2. How is Natural Hydrogen different from Green Hydrogen?+
Tags: natural hydrogen Prelims Pointers upsc prelims current affairs