Mountains may be hiding a revolutionary source of energy. Here's what it is and how a cigarette led to its discovery

Large reserves of white hydrogen might be found in mountain ranges like the Pyrenees and the European Alps. This clean-burning gas can be extracted to replace fossil fuels and help tackle the climate crisis. Scientists are using computer models to identify the best locations for hydrogen production, offering potential hope for future energy solutions.

Mountains may be hiding a revolutionary source of energy. Here's what it is and how a cigarette led to its discovery
Earth's mountains may be hiding a clean source of energy, according to a new study.

As per the study published in Science.

org, mountain ranges may have significant reserves of white hydrogen which has huge potential as a fossil fuel alternative . Trump-Modi Meet The mega MIGA, MAGA plans of India's Modi and US' Trump Trump says India has more tariffs than others Trump's 'golden rule' for imposing reciprocal tariffs White hydrogen, also called "natural" or "geologic" hydrogen, is gaining attention as a viable fossil fuel alternative.

Scientists have only recently begun recognizing substantial hydrogen deposits within Earth's crust.

Research now focuses on understanding its formation and identifying locations with sufficient quantities to meet global energy demands.

Researchers used computational modeling to trace tectonic plate movements, pinpointing regions suitable for white hydrogen formation.

A study published in Science Advances highlights the Pyrenees and European Alps as promising sources.

Hydrogen, which emits only water when burned, is ideal for high-energy industries like aviation and steel production.

However, most commercial hydrogen production today depends on fossil fuels, reducing its environmental benefits.

This makes naturally occurring white hydrogen particularly valuable.

A Cigarette Sparked a Key Discovery in 1987 A major breakthrough in white hydrogen research occurred in Mali in 1987, when a water well exploded due to a cigarette spark.

Scientists later realized the explosion was caused by naturally occurring hydrogen.

The well, reopened in 2011, now powers a local village with hydrogen energy . Since then, discoveries have been made in the U.S., Australia, and France, but finding commercially viable deposits remains a challenge.

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These deep-lying rocks can surface over millions of years due to continental shifts and collisions, creating conditions for white hydrogen formation.

By mapping tectonic plate movements, researchers identified mountain ranges where mantle rocks at the right temperature interact with deep faults, allowing water to circulate and generate hydrogen.

The volume of exposed rock suggests a significant energy potential.

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