Geophysics – Geodynamics

Characterizing Natural Hydrogen Reservoirs at Rifted Margins

Natural hydrogen generated during the formation of rifted margins is a promising resource for the energy transition, though its processes and reservoirs remain largely unknown. The CH2ARM project aims to estimate natural hydrogen production at two rifted magma-poor margins, the West Iberia Newfoundland and the Thyrrenian sea. We are employing cutting-edge seismic tomography to constrain kinematic-dynamic simulations with Kinedyn (Liu et al., 2022). While seismic tomography will provide an structural image of the nature of the basement, numerical modelling will allow the estimation of natural hydrogen production (Liu et al., 2023, Figure 1). This advanced methodology will allow for precise mapping of potential hydrogen generation zones and possible trapping locations within rifted margin structures (Figure 2). By integrating high-resolution seismic data with robust numerical modeling, CH2ARM seeks to identify and characterize reservoirs of this emerging green energy resource, contributing valuable insights into its viability as a sustainable energy source.

Dr. Irene Merino, 2024-2027

Fellowship from YUFE4postdocs and University of Bremen

**Figure 1.** Modified from **Liu et al. (2023)**. The figure shows hydrogen production during model run (top) using the fully dynamic model Rift2Rdige, result of the simulation of the Newfoundland – West Iberia margins after 120 Myr of model run (middle) and seismic section of the same margins for comparison (bottom). In this project we will use Kinedyn and high-resolution tomography models to estimate hydrogen production in these margins and in the Thyrrenean.

Abbildung zeigt — **Figure 2**. The figure shows a conceptual model for hydrogen generation at magma-poor margins.