: The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has released a first-of-its-kind interactive map identifying potential zones for naturally occurring hydrogen underground in Iowa and the broader Midwest region. The map highlights areas with a higher likelihood of subsurface hydrogen deposits, focusing on the Midcontinent Rift system, a geological formation over a billion years old. This rift spans across Iowa's Adair, Dallas, Guthrie, Mills, and Polk counties, and extends into Minnesota, Michigan, Wisconsin, Nebraska, Kansas, and parts of Ontario, Canada.
The map ranks regions on a scale of 0 to 1 based on the presence of hydrogen sources, reservoirs, and seals.
Iowa is considered a promising location due to the Midcontinent Rift's faults and iron-rich rocks, which can produce hydrogen through serpentinization.
Several companies have expressed interest in exploring geologic hydrogen sources in Iowa, according to the Iowa Geological Survey.
This initiative aims to promote awareness and exploration of hydrogen as a clean energy source, potentially impacting agriculture through ammonia production for fertilizers.