{
  "abstract": "Natural hydrogen gas (H 2 ) generated through the serpentinization of mantle rocks is a possible source of clean energy. For efficient serpentinization and large-scale H 2 generation to occur, mantle rocks need to be brought near the surface (exhumed) into a favorable temperature range (the serpentinization window) and in contact with water. Rift-inversion orogens that form when rift basins are closed and tectonically inverted provide promising environments for serpentinization-related H 2 generation and the accumulation of economical H 2 volumes. Erosion is known to impact exhumation processes, but how erosion efficiency influences serpentinization and associated H 2 resource potential in rift-inversion orogens remains poorly understood. We use numerical geodynamic models with varying rifting phase durations to address this question. We find that, on the one hand, efficient erosion can cause a shift from a typical symmetric orogenic style to an asymmetric style in systems with limited preceding rifting, thus promoting mantle exhumation and creating favorable conditions for efficient serpentinization that may lead to bulk natural H 2 generation. Independent of erosion efficiency, advanced rifting facilitates the formation of asymmetric orogens and the mantle exhumation needed for efficient serpentinization, showing that rift duration is a dominant factor to consider. On the other hand, highly efficient erosion can limit serpentinization potential in all settings as rapid exhumation of hot material narrows the serpentinization window's vertical extent. Moreover, the removal of potential reservoir and seal rocks diminishes the likelihood of natural H 2 accumulations forming. Using these insights, we present a speculative first-order application to the Pyrenees, Alps, and Betics.\n\nPlain Language Summary Clean hydrogen gas (H 2 ), formed by natural processes in the subsurface, is a potential alternative for polluting fossil fuels. Recent research suggests that mountain ranges such as the Alps and Pyrenees are key natural H 2 exploration sites. Here, deep mantle rocks are tectonically brought near the surface and react with water to release H 2 , which could subsequently accumulate in porous reservoir rock layers and be drilled for H 2 exploitation. To enable successful natural H 2 exploration in mountain ranges, we need to thoroughly understand their tectonic evolution and the impact of various geological processes. We use advanced plate tectonic computer simulations to study how erosion impacts the evolution of mountain ranges and their potential for natural H 2 resource development. Our simulations show that erosion can help bringing mantle rocks toward the surface in mountain ranges, thus promoting serpentinization and enhancing associated natural H 2 generation potential. However, excessive erosion can also reduce serpentinization and natural H 2 generation potential by both causing mantle to ascend too rapidly, while also removing potential reservoir rocks in which exploitable natural H 2 accumulations could otherwise form. The insights from our research help us understand where to explore for natural H 2 resources.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [],
  "article_type": null,
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 7,
  "authors": [
    {
      "name": "Frank Zwaan"
    },
    {
      "name": "Anne C Glerum"
    },
    {
      "name": "Sascha Brune"
    },
    {
      "name": "Dylan A Vasey"
    },
    {
      "name": "John B Naliboff"
    },
    {
      "name": "Gianreto Manatschal"
    },
    {
      "name": "Eric C Gaucher"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/8y50xtpnjfcy1.bib",
  "cited_by": 1,
  "doi": "10.1029/2025jb033255",
  "fulltext_url": null,
  "id": "8y50xtpnjfcy1",
  "issns": [
    "2169-9313",
    "2169-9356"
  ],
  "landing_url": "https://univoak.hal.science/hal-05751483v1",
  "language": "en",
  "licence": "CC-BY-4.0",
  "licence_label": "CC BY 4.0",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "hal",
      "0.sdu"
    ],
    [
      "hal",
      "1.sdu.stu"
    ],
    [
      "openalex",
      "1907|Geological and Geophysical Studies"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7161559740",
  "pdf_url": "https://univoak.hal.science/hal-05751483/document",
  "pmcid": null,
  "pmid": null,
  "published": "2026-05-18",
  "publisher": "American Geophysical Union",
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/8y50xtpnjfcy1.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:17:35Z",
      "native_id": "hal-05751483",
      "source": "hal",
      "url": "https://univoak.hal.science/hal-05751483v1"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "earth",
      "origin": "openalex:1907|Geological and Geophysical Studies",
      "subfield": "geology-geochemistry"
    }
  ],
  "title": "The Impact of Erosion Efficiency on Rift‐Inversion Orogen Evolution: Implications for Serpentinization‐Derived Natural H ₂ Resources",
  "title_text": "The Impact of Erosion Efficiency on Rift‐Inversion Orogen Evolution: Implications for Serpentinization‐Derived Natural H ₂ Resources",
  "type": "peer-reviewed",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:17:35Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/8y50xtpnjfcy1",
  "venue": "Journal of Geophysical Research : Solid Earth",
  "versions": []
}