Environment & Energy

natural hydrogen (geologic or “white” hydrogen) does indeed exist in Tasmania, and the region is now the subject of active exploration efforts.

Here’s a list of supporting URLs:

https://www.naturalhydrogen.com.au

https://mrt.tas.gov.au/news/old_news/stratigraphic_reconstructions_of_bulk_volatile_chemistry_from_fluid_inclusions_in_cores_from_bruny_island_and_glenorchy

https://research.csiro.au/hyresource/hydrogen-production-and-research-facility

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Evidence of Natural Hydrogen in Tasmania

1. Exploration Projects by Natural Hydrogen Pty Ltd

A company named Natural Hydrogen holds two exploration licenses in Tasmania:

Orford licence (EL 11/2023): Granted December 2024, covering ~4,055 km².

Franklin licence (EL 23/2024): Registered December 2024, covering ~2,848 km².
Both projects include multi-year exploration programs involving geologic and geophysical surveys and planned drilling.




2. Geoscience Australia & Mineral Resources Tasmania Studies

Collaboratively, these agencies published reports (August 2023) on natural hydrogen potential using analyses of fluid inclusions in drill cores from areas like Glenorchy and Bruny Island.



3. CSIRO & Geoscience Australia Research (HyResearch)

As part of a national study, CSIRO partnered with Geoscience Australia and Mineral Resources Tasmania in a project (2021–2024) focused on natural hydrogen exploration. This work included:

Soil gas surveys

Fluid inclusion analyses of Tasmanian core samples

Passive seismic surveys investigating historical hydrogen occurrences




4. Geological Context Favoring Hydrogen Formation

Tasmania’s geology — with its extensive iron-rich Precambrian and doleritic rocks — makes it favorable for hydrogen generation through processes like radiolysis and hydrolytic reactions.




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Broader Context: Natural Hydrogen in Australia

National Resource Potential: Recent studies show that Australia’s ancient cratonic regions — including sedimentary basins and non-sedimentary rock formations — hold promise for natural hydrogen generation and trapping. Some vast estimates suggest onshore resource potential between ~1.6 and 58 million m³ per year (to depths of 1 km).


Mechanisms of Hydrogen Formation: Natural hydrogen arises from geological processes such as:

Radiolysis: Water splitting by natural radiation.

Serpentinization: Reaction between water and ultramafic rocks.

Hydrolytic/oxidation reactions involving iron-rich rock.





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Summary

Yes — Tasmania hosts confirmed potential for natural hydrogen.
This is supported by:

Licensing for exploration in Orford and Franklin areas.

Published core analysis reports by government agencies.

Scientific investigation by CSIRO and partners.

Favorable regional geology involving iron-rich and doleritic rock formations.



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