Researchers from the Hyperspectral Imaging Laboratory (HyLab) have published a new review article exploring the potential of hyperspectral imaging technologies for indirect geologic hydrogen exploration.
As the global transition toward cleaner energy systems accelerates, identifying sustainable and low-carbon energy resources has become increasingly important. Geologic hydrogen, naturally occurring hydrogen generated through geological processes, has emerged as a promising energy resource due to its potential for low-carbon production and applications in future energy systems.
The study, titled “Hyperspectral Imaging Techniques in Search of Geologic Hydrogen: A Review”, reviews how hyperspectral imaging can contribute to the detection and characterization of geological environments associated with hydrogen generation and migration. Geologic hydrogen is commonly linked to processes such as serpentinization, where water interacts with ultramafic rocks to produce altered minerals and molecular hydrogen (H₂). Identifying these geological signatures is a critical step toward developing effective exploration strategies.
Hyperspectral imaging provides high-resolution spectral information that enables detailed characterization of surface materials and mineralogical changes associated with geological processes. The review highlights several applications of hyperspectral technologies, including:
- Mapping iron-rich and serpentinized lithologies that may indicate favorable environments for hydrogen generation.
- Identifying mineral alteration patterns and alteration halos related to water–rock interactions.
- Detecting vegetation stress and compositional variations that may be associated with potential hydrogen seepage.
- Supporting exploration across multiple platforms, including airborne hyperspectral imaging, drill-core analysis, and underwater hyperspectral sensing.
The paper also discusses spectral observations associated with sub-circular depressions (SCDs)—subtle surface features that have been proposed as potential indicators of natural hydrogen seepage. While the origin and significance of these features remain an active area of research, hyperspectral imaging provides valuable information for investigating their relationship with geological processes.
This publication emphasizes the growing role of hyperspectral remote sensing as a complementary tool for geologic hydrogen exploration, offering new opportunities to integrate mineral spectroscopy, Earth observation, and advanced imaging technologies for energy resource discovery.
The work contributes to HyLab’s ongoing research efforts in applying hyperspectral imaging and advanced data analysis methods to address challenges in critical minerals, energy resources, and environmental monitoring.
This work is conducted in collaboration with researchers from the Alaska Division of Geological & Geophysical Surveys (DGGS) and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.
Publication:
R. Rajabi, M. Stuefer, M. Hu, M. Wartes, A. Zandanel and M. Ivey, “Hyperspectral Imaging Techniques in Search of Geologic Hydrogen: A Review,” in IEEE Journal of Selected Topics in Applied Earth Observations and Remote Sensing, doi: 10.1109/JSTARS.2026.3713285.
IEEE Xplore:
https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/11609833