230 The Power of Hard Rocks: Driving the Energy Transition and Serving Society (Posters)
This session examines how mafic and ultramafic rocks contribute to the energy transition by 1) generating hydrogen gas, 2) trapping CO2 through carbon mineralization, and 3) providing critical minerals for climate change mitigation and renewable energy production.
Tuesday, 21 October 2025
8:00 AM - 5:30 PM
HBGCC, Hall 1
Subsurface Mafic and Ultramafic Rock Mapping and Analysis for Carbon Mineralization in the United States (SubMAP-CO2)
Paper number: 230-3
Program: Technical Sessions
Time: 8:45 AM – 9:00 AM
Authors
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Peter KelemenColumbia University, Palisades, NY
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Julia GaleUniversity of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX
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Elizabeth HorneUniversity of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas
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Lorena MoscardelliThe University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX
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Rama ArasadaThe University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX
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Shuvajit BhattacharyaThe University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas
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Mert UgurhanThe University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX
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Ramon Gil EguiThe University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX
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Edwina Owusu-AdjapongThe University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas
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András FallThe University of Texas at Austin, Bureau of Economic Geology, Austin, TX
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Yuntian TengThe University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas
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David EspinozaThe University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas
Abstract
Permanent CO₂ storage through carbon mineralization in mafic and ultramafic rocks offers a safe and scalable pathway to support global decarbonization goals. However, the distribution, extent, and properties of suitable subsurface formations across the United States remain poorly constrained, limiting widespread deployment. To identify mineralization-based in situ CO₂ storage opportunities, we conducted a national assessment of the characteristics and storage potential of mafic and ultramafic rocks within the uppermost 5 km of the continental crust. This effort included compiling a database of historical well penetrations into basement rocks, with emphasis on mafic and ultramafic lithologies; mapping and estimating the volume of suitable geologic units using aeromagnetic data; and collecting and analyzing core and outcrop samples for mineralogical and geochemical characterization. Laboratory carbonation experiments quantified the carbon uptake potential of representative ultramafic rocks. We performed a source-to-sink assessment integrating geologic suitability with proximity to industrial CO₂ sources, infrastructure, land and water use, and deployment feasibility. Applying these constraints reduced the accessible storage area by over 80%. Our results highlight the most promising opportunities in small, spatially isolated zones with favorable source-sink pairing, particularly in the Central-North region near the Great Lakes and along parts of the East Coast. While potential also exists in parts of the West Coast, proximity to CO₂ sources remains a limitation. All findings will be made publicly available via the SubMAP-CO₂ open-access platform, designed to inform future research, pilot projects, and commercial-scale carbon removal. We invite continued community engagement to expand and refine this resource over time.
Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol. 57, No. 6
doi: 10.1130/abs/2025AM-414430
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