Geochemists have captured and measured bursts of “white hydrogen” emanating directly from billion-year-old rock formations in the dark tunnels of an active mine near Timmins, Ontario.

The site’s 15,000 boreholes could naturally discharge over 140 tonnes of hydrogen annually — enough to sustain the yearly energy needs of over 400 households. The gas is also used to forge steel, create methanol, and produce fertiliser.