Vast Hydrogen Reserves Found Beneath Pacific Seabed
Amsterdam, Wednesday, 20 August 2025.
Scientists have identified a massive hydrothermal system under the Pacific Ocean’s seabed, emitting billions of moles of hydrogen, potentially revolutionizing future sustainable energy production.
The Kunlun Hydrothermal System: A Geological Marvel
Located near the Mussau Trench in the western Pacific, the Kunlun hydrothermal field spans an impressive 11.1 square kilometers. This discovery is vital, as it consists of 20 massive seafloor craters that emit significant amounts of hydrogen, contributing 4.8 × 10¹¹ moles of hydrogen annually, equating to over 5% of global submarine abiotic hydrogen production [1]. The field is situated on the Caroline Plate, about 80 kilometers west of the Mussau Trench, and is characterized by a unique ‘pipe swarm’ system of rock structures facilitating gas and fluid transport [2].
Hydrogen Production and Sustainable Energy
The high hydrogen flux of the Kunlun system exemplifies serpentinization-driven hydrogen production in a non-mid-ocean ridge setting, a phenomenon scientists previously deemed unlikely. This presents a new frontier in sustainable energy research, as hydrogen is a potential clean energy source capable of reducing global reliance on fossil fuels [1][3]. This finding could significantly impact the Netherlands, where green energy innovations are increasingly prioritized [4].
Innovative Energy Solutions and Future Prospects
There exists a synergy between the Kunlun discovery and the efforts of SwitcH2, a Dutch company seeking to harness hydrogen through offshore renewable energy sources. SwitcH2’s Floating Production Storage and Offloading Unit (FPSO) plans to generate hydrogen from seawater using wind and solar energy, further enhancing the prospects for sustainable energy solutions [5]. Noteworthy is their Project Atlantico, which, despite a postponed launch, aims for a significant contribution to green ammonia production by 2030 [6].
The Global Impact of Hydrogen Discovery
This discovery not only provides insight into sustainable energy production but also into early Earth’s conditions, as the alkaline, hydrogen-rich environment might mirror the primordial soup from which life emerged. Therefore, the Kunlun system becomes a natural laboratory for studying hydrogen emissions’ role both in energy generation and life’s origins [2][7].