Analysis of legacy geophysical data to delineate geologic hydrogen occurrences in the Midcontinent Rift System, Iowa, USA

Joseph P. Honings; Ryan J. Clark; John E. Malone; Melissa Evans; Hang Chen; Mengli Zhang; Youguo Li; Avery Norman; Zoe Shadravan; Chase Evanson; Lillie Carreon

doi:10.1038/s41598-026-67345-9

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Analysis of legacy geophysical data to delineate geologic hydrogen occurrences in the Midcontinent Rift System, Iowa, USA

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Analysis of legacy geophysical data to delineate geologic hydrogen occurrences in the Midcontinent Rift System, Iowa, USA

Joseph P. Honings, Ryan J. Clark, John E. Malone, Melissa Evans, Hang Chen, Mengli Zhang, Youguo Li, Avery Norman, Zoe Shadravan, Chase Evanson, …

Scientific reports

08/26/2026

DOI: 10.1038/s41598-026-67345-9

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Abstract

Geologic hydrogen is among contemporary global interests to minimize carbon dioxide emissions. It is mainly produced by serpentinization of olivine within mafic rocks, which comprise the Midcontinent Rift System (MRS) of the midwestern United States. Exploration is active along the MRS in Iowa, where in 1969, a 96.3% hydrogen gas measurement was reported from a natural gas storage field near Vincent. Data useful to geologic hydrogen exploration in Iowa are limited to legacy petrophysical logs and seismic lines from early fossil energy exploration. Legacy data from the Vincent area were evaluated for evidence of subsurface hydrogen and system components. Hydrogen shows are indicated in multiple wells within the upper Eau Claire carbonate. Faults that would serve as migration pathways are evident in the MRS basalts and overlying sedimentary strata. The response of petrophysical logs in interpreted zones of hydrogen accumulation suggest the obsolete neutron-gamma logging tool is sensitive to the presence of geologic hydrogen, but ancillary resistivity, acoustic, and density logs are necessary for further interpretation. Pilot study natural gas injections may have displaced accumulated hydrogen to wells at the structure’s flanks, and some samples were likely from intervals outside the accumulation, which could be tested by reservoir modeling studies.

Details

Title: Subtitle: Analysis of legacy geophysical data to delineate geologic hydrogen occurrences in the Midcontinent Rift System, Iowa, USA
Creators: Joseph P. Honings - University of Iowa
Ryan J. Clark - University of Iowa
John E. Malone - University of Iowa
Melissa Evans - Battelle
Hang Chen - University of Iowa, School of Earth, Environment, and Sustainability
Mengli Zhang - Colorado School of Mines
Youguo Li - Colorado School of Mines
Avery Norman - University of Iowa
Zoe Shadravan - University of Iowa
Chase Evanson - University of Iowa
Lillie Carreon - University of Iowa
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Scientific reports
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-026-67345-9
ISSN: 2045-2322
eISSN: 2045-2322
Publisher: Springer Nature
Language: English
Electronic publication date: 08/26/2026
Academic Unit: Iowa Geological Survey; IIHR--Hydroscience and Engineering; School of Earth, Environment, and Sustainability
Record Identifier: 9985222743602771

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