Natural H₂ Emanations in the Rio de la Plata Craton, First Data

This study presents the first comprehensive soil gas survey across southern Uruguay’s H₂ prospective terranes. A pre-field trip selection was done on the basement rock nature, as well as vegetation anomalies in subcircular depressions and fault presence. The Neoproterozoic terrane, north of Punta del Este, and the Archean Rio de la Plata Craton, north of Montevideo, as well as along the suture zones between the two, were targeted. Our findings reveal substantial H₂ concentrations, significantly outperforming many established basins worldwide. The suture zones act as critical migration conduits for H₂ coming from a deeper structural level. Slightly abnormal helium signatures confirm an active, deep-sourced fluid system, particularly within the Sierra Ballena and Cordillera shear zones. The Archean Rio de la Plata Craton appears promising but has only been partially sampled and warrants further investigation. These results underscore the high potential of Uruguay as a new frontier for natural hydrogen exploration.