Massive Geo-Hydrogen Source Unveiled West of the Mussau Trench

The discovery was made on the east Caroline Plate, where a large cluster of cylindrical geological structures, known as a pipe swarm, was found. Dubbed "Kunlun," this pipe swarm features diameters ranging from 450 to 1,800 meters, indicating significant past hydrogen hydrothermal activity. The Mussau Trench, an ancient and now inactive geological formation, served as a backdrop for this unprecedented find.

Hydrothermal fluids, consisting of heated water and dissolved minerals, were observed spraying through small tubes and cracks within the pipes. These pipes brim with breccias—accumulations of angular rock fragments—often accompanied by yellowish microbial mats. The ecosystem within the Kunlun pipe swarm is thriving, with scorpionfish being the apex predator, hinting at a complex and vibrant microbial community sustained by the hydrogen-rich environment.

The study, published in Science Advances, also reported over 800 short-duration seismic events across a 150-kilometer profile over 28 days, signaling ongoing active gas leakage. This seismic activity, coupled with clumped nitrogen isotope analysis, suggests a dominant atmospheric gas component, differentiating this site from traditional hydrogen vents located near active plate margins.

What sets the Kunlun hydrothermal fields apart is their location, approximately 80 kilometers from active plate margins, unlike previous discoveries situated near spreading ridges or transform faults. The pipe swarm's formation required significant energy, potentially from hydrogen explosions, as compressed hydrogen can release immense amounts of energy, equivalent to tons of TNT.

Prof. Xiao Yuanyuan, the study's lead author, believes this discovery could pave the way for future economic mining of hydrogen. The findings suggest that substantial hydrogen reserves may exist deep within the oceanic lithospheric mantle, offering a promising avenue for sustainable energy development.