The Hydridic Earth model challenges conventional thinking by proposing that Earth formed within a hydrogen-rich environment, leading to unique geological processes driven by hydrogen. This alternative paradigm suggests that fundamental concepts related to natural resources, geological risk and energy security may need to be reconsidered in light of a hydrogen-powered Earth. Embracing this perspective could reshape our understanding of planetary evolution and resource management for the future. Fact Hydridic Earth Theory & Deep H₂ Degassing Traditional Silicate Earth Theory Why Hydridic Earth Theory Is More Precise Planetary Formation and Origin Earth originated as a hydrogen-rich body. Larin proposed that element distribution in the early Solar System was controlled by ionization potentials and the Sun’s magnetic field, with low-IP elements held near the center and high-IP elements pushed outward​​​. This means Earth should contain orders of magnitude more hydrogen than observed. He posits that ~18% of Earth’s initial mass was hydrogen, sequestered in metal hydrides in the deep interior. Thus, the young Earth was a “Primordial Hydridic Earth”, with hydrogen bound in its core and mantle Earth formed from accretion of mostly hydrogen-depleted planetesimals in the inner solar nebula. Close to the proto-Sun, intense heat and solar wind drove off light elements like H/He​​​, leaving mainly refractory silicates and metals. The inner planets coalesced from this dry, rocky material, so the early Earth had very little primordial hydrogen. In the standard model, Earth’s composition is similar to chondritic meteorites minus volatiles – hydrogen was largely lost to space or never accreted due to high temperature Larin’s model explains the distribution of elements in the solar system with a physical mechanism (magnetic sorting by ionization potential) that accounts for Earth’s missing volatiles. It correctly predicted a hidden hydrogen reservoir within Earth. For example, his theory anticipated phenomena like hydrogen outgassing from the deep Earth​​​ – now confirmed by discoveries of H₂ venting at oceanic ridges – which the classical model did not expect. The fulfillment of such predictions (along with others) signals that Hydridic Earth theory captures aspects of planetary formation that the traditional view misses, lending it greater predictive precision Earth’s Core, Mantle, and Crust Composi-tion The deep Earth is metallic and hydrogen-rich. Below the crust and upper mantle, Larin asserts the planet is composed of oxygen-free alloys of silicon, magnesium, iron, etc., combined with hydrogen (metal hydrides)​​​. In this view, the middle and lower mantle, and likely the core, consist of metal hydrides (e.g. FeH) rather than oxides; the familiar silicate/oxide rocks are confined to the upper mantle and crust​​​. Earth’s interior thus contains abundant hydrogen in solid solution. A dense hydride core and mantle would explain Earth’s high mean density. For instance, Larin noted that Earth, Mercury and Venus, which retained their hydrogen, are denser, whereas smaller bodies like the Moon and Mars exhausted their hydrogen and have lower densities​ and gravitation The Earth is chemically stratified into an iron-rich core, a silicate mantle, and a crust. The core is an iron–nickel alloy with some lighter elements (e.g. sulfur) to match density​​​. The mantle is dominated by ferromagnesian silicate minerals (ultramafic rocks like peridotite)​​​, and the crust is enriched in silica, alumina, and lighter elements. Hydrogen is present only in trace amounts (as water in minerals or fluid inclusions). In short, Earth is viewed as a silicate planet with a metal core and virtually no hydrogen in its bulk composition Hydridic Earth theory addresses certain geochemical and geophysical anomalies. For example, Larin predicted that if the mantle is partly metallic, volcanic eruptions could bring up native metal. Indeed, metallic iron particles in basalts (e.g. in Siberian Traps lavas) and kimberlite pipes have been observed, a finding naturally explained by a hydrogen-bearing metallic mantle​​ ​but unexpected in the silicate-only model. The hydride model also elegantly explains the density contrast among terrestrial planets: Earth’s and Venus’s higher densities make sense if they still harbor dense hydride cores, whereas the Moon and Mars are less dense because they are fully degassed (just metal silicides with silicate shells)​. These successes indicate Larin’s composition model can resolve puzzles the standard model struggles with Plate Tectonics and Lithosphe-ric Dynamics Hydridic Earth theory implies an expanding Earth. As hydrogen escapes from the deep interior, the planet’s volume increases, causing continental drift. Larin argued that Mesozoic-era degassing led to Earth’s expansion, fracturing the single landmass and forming new ocean basins. Mid-ocean ridges and transform faults are seen as tension features created by a growing Earth​. Plate motions (rifting of Pangaea, seafloor spreading) are thus driven by internal pressure and volume increase, rather than solely by mantle convection. Notably, Larin reports that his expansion model predicted specific ridge fracture patterns and other tectonic features before they were empirically known​ The lithospheric dynamics are governed by plate tectonics on a constant-radius Earth. Rigid plates move atop the asthenosphere driven by mantle convection, slab pull, and ridge push. New crust is created at divergent boundaries (mid-ocean ridges) where magma upwells and solidifies​, and old crust is consumed at convergent boundaries where one plate subducts under another​. This continuous creation and destruction of crust keeps Earth’s diameter constant. Continental drift, mountain building, and oceanic trench formation are explained by interactions of plates on a non-expanding Earth Larin’s expansion concept offers a predictive framework that has scored some notable successes. For instance, he anticipated the existence and geometry of certain transform faults and rift features as a result of crustal stretching​ – predictions that were later validated, whereas conventional plate tectonics only explained them retrospectively. Moreover, Hydridic Earth theory ties tectonic activity to a fundamental process (degassing) potentially modulated by planetary cycles, whereas standard plate tectonics doesn’t inherently explain why continents rifted when they did. The ability of Larin’s model to predict previously unknown phenomena (rather than just fitting known data) suggests it has a higher degree of precision in describing lithospheric evolution​ Volcanism and Earthquake Mecha-nisms Deep degassing drives volcanism and quakes. According to Syvorotkin (following Larin), pulses of hydrogen and other reduced gases rising from Earth’s interior are the primary cause of volcanic eruptions and earthquakes. As hydrogen ascends and oxidizes in the upper mantle, it releases vast heat and forms water, melting the mantle and fueling massive volcanism​. This mechanism can produce global volcanic episodes (e.g. flood basalts) when degassing intensifies. Earthquakes, in this view, often result from the explosive oxidation of hydrogen at depth – essentially sudden gas-driven blasts or pressure release along faults​​​. Even intraplate quakes can be explained by pockets of deep gas rupturing the overlying rocks. In short, volcanism and seismicity are surface expressions of Earth’s ongoing deep hydrogen degassing Tectonic processes drive volcanism and quakes in the conventional model. Volcanoes typically occur where mantle rock melts: at subduction zones, the downgoing slab’s water causes flux melting of mantle material, generating magma that erupts in volcanic arcs​; at mid-ocean ridges and rifts, decompression melting of upwelling mantle produces basaltic volcanism​; and at hotspots, deep mantle plumes create localized melting. Earthquakes are caused by the sudden slip on faults due to stress accumulation as plates move. Most quakes occur along plate boundaries where strain builds until it exceeds friction and releases energy​. These phenomena are explained largely by mechanical forces and thermal convection, without invoking deep hydrogen or unusual chemical energy sources The Hydridic Earth approach provides a unified explanation for phenomena that standard theory treats separately. It links earthquakes and volcanism (and even atmospheric effects) to one root cause – deep Earth gas release – thus explaining, for example, why massive volcanism and extensional tectonics might coincide with seismic unrest and climate shifts. This holistic cause-and-effect (e.g. a hydrogen degassing event triggering both eruptions and quakes) can account for unusual observations, such as earthquakes occurring alongside volcanic gas emissions or in regions without active subduction. Traditional theory struggles with such correlations (it has to invoke coincidence or secondary interactions), whereas Larin’s model naturally predicts them​. Additionally, degassing theory may better explain episodic extreme events (like continent-scale flood basalts and associated seismicity) that are hard to reconcile with steady-state plate processes alone Heat and Energy Generation Inside Earth Chemical and gravitational energy from hydrogen powers Earth’s interior. Larin and Syvorotkin argue that beyond radioactivity, Earth’s engine is fueled by energy release from hydrogen. When hydrogen is released from the core (e.g. during inner core crystallization) and oxidized in the mantle, it produces significant exothermic heat​. Moreover, Larin calculates that the process of Earth’s early compaction (as a hydride-rich planet) stored immense gravitational potential energy in metal hydrides. The gradual degassing and compaction over time releases on the order of hundreds of kJ/mole, which he posits is a primary energy source for tectonic activity. Thus, periodic surges of degassing correspond to bursts of internal heat (driving magmatism, etc.), superimposed on the background heat flow Earth’s internal heat is explained by long-lived radioactive decay and residual formation energy. The decay of isotopes (U, Th, K) in the mantle and crust continuously generates heat, while leftover primordial heat from accretion and core formation also contributes​. Additionally, as the liquid outer core slowly solidifies onto the inner core, latent heat is released and helps drive the geodynamo and core convection​. These sources produce the Earth’s geothermal gradient. In the standard view, Earth’s heat output is relatively steady over geologic time, declining slowly as radioactive fuel diminishes – there is no expectation of abrupt internal “heat pulses” aside from large volcanic events explained by mantle plumes or impacts Hydridic Earth theory can account for thermal anomalies and episodic energy releases that the standard model finds hard to explain. For example, the prodigious heat and magma output during Large Igneous Province events (such as flood basalts) might exceed what normal radioactivity and secular cooling would supply in a short interval. Larin’s model provides an extra energy reservoir in the form of chemical energy (hydrogen oxidation) and gravitational energy, which can be tapped during major degassing episodes. This makes the theory more precise in explaining how Earth can, at times, exhibit burst-like geological activity. It aligns with evidence of past thermal catastrophes and offers a quantitative boost to Earth’s energy budget when needed, something the classical view has difficulty with (since it relies mostly on steady heat sources) Magnetic Field Generation (Geomag-netism) Earth’s magnetism arises from a hydrogen-infused dynamo. In Larin’s model, the conventional iron-core dynamo is augmented (or partly replaced) by electric currents in a plasma of hydrogen deep in the Earth. The hypothesis is that the movement of ionized hydrogen (protons) along with electrons in the metallic interior (the “metallosphere”) generates a strong dipole magnetic field, essentially making Earth an electromagnet. Polarity reversals of the geomagnetic field are attributed to instabilities in the rotation and relative motion of the inner core, outer core, and mantle, which can cause the internal current system to flip​. Additionally, because the electrically conductive, hydrogen-bearing zone extends into the lower mantle, this theory predicts regional magnetic anomalies (on the order of ~1000 km) from mantle currents, which would not occur if only the core produced the field​ Earth’s magnetic field is generated by the geodynamo in the fluid outer core. Convective currents of molten iron, driven by the heat from the core (e.g. inner core freezing and radioactivity), produce electrical currents that organize into a global magnetic field​. This process, coupled with Earth’s rotation (Coriolis forces), maintains the dipole field. Magnetic pole reversals are explained as natural, chaotic fluctuations in the convective pattern: over thousands of years, the dynamo can reorganize, causing the field to weaken and then re-establish with opposite polarity​. The mantle and crust are generally thought to play no role in generating the field (aside from locally recorded magnetization); the field is assumed to be almost entirely a product of core processes in the standard model Larin’s geomagnetic model offers potentially finer explanations for certain magnetic field characteristics. For example, if a “metallosphere” current is involved, it could explain intermediate-scale magnetic anomalies and variations that a core-only dynamo struggles with. The theory also provides a clear mechanical trigger for reversals (core–mantle rotational instability leading to current inversion), whereas in the standard view reversals are stochastic and not tied to a specific cause. By broadening the dynamo region to include the lower mantle, Hydridic Earth theory can incorporate the effects of mantle conductivity and outgassing on geomagnetism, potentially leading to a more detailed and predictive understanding of magnetic field fluctuations than the classic core-centric theory Formation of Natural Resources (Hydrocar-bons & H₂) Abiotic hydrocarbons and deep hydrogen. The Hydridic Earth model contends that Earth’s vast hydrocarbon deposits (oil, natural gas) have a primordial/deep origin. Larin suggests that hydrogen emanating from the mantle reacts with carbon (from mantle carbides or primordial carbon) to synthesize hydrocarbons in the crust and upper mantle. Oil and gas reservoirs thus represent accumulations of juvenile hydrocarbons generated from below, not merely “fossil” organic matter. He points out the unlikelihood that petroleum could remain in porous rocks for hundreds of millions of years without dissipating or degrading; unless continuously replenished, ancient oil would oxidize, polymerize to bitumen, or be consumed by microbes. This reasoning supports a deep, ongoing genesis of hydrocarbons. Likewise, molecular hydrogen (H₂) is considered a natural geologic commodity: Earth’s degassing supplies H₂ that migrates upward (e.g. along faults) – consistent with reports of hydrogen-rich seepages in various regions, which Hydridic theory sees as direct evidence of Earth’s hydrogen engine​ Biogenic hydrocarbons and scarce hydrogen. In the traditional view, petroleum and natural gas are formed from the remains of ancient organisms. Over millions of years, organic-rich sediments (from plankton, algae, plant debris) are buried and heated, converting organic matter to kerogen and then to oil and gas. These hydrocarbons migrate and become trapped in geological structures, where we find them today​​​. Oil is thus a fossil fuel, finite and formed in specific epochs (e.g. Mesozoic). Free hydrogen gas in the crust is considered rare; small amounts are generated by water-rock reactions (such as serpentinization of ultramafic rocks) or degassed in volcanic regions, but until recently, geologists did not recognize any substantial native hydrogen reservoirs. Overall, the standard model did not treat H₂ as a significant resource or expect large accumulations of it in the subsurface Hydridic Earth theory offers an expanded perspective on resource formation that has gained credibility as new evidence emerges. It can explain hydrocarbon occurrences that challenge the biogenic paradigm – for instance, oil found in very old crystalline basement rocks or enormous methane abundances on other planets/moons. Larin’s argument that oil fields require continuous replenishment is bolstered by the deep hydrogen hypothesis, making sense of how giant oil provinces could sustain their volumes over geologic time​. Moreover, Larin decades ago predicted the existence of exploitable geologic hydrogen stores, a notion dismissed by traditionalists but now vindicated by discoveries of natural hydrogen seeps and even prospecting projects. The fact that modern studies have found large hydrogen occurrences (e.g. a significant hydrogen field in Mali) and realized that “native hydrogen is much more widespread… than previously thought”​ underscores the foresight of the Hydridic model. By encompassing both hydrocarbons and hydrogen in Earth’s deep processes, Larin’s theory is more precise in guiding exploration – it essentially anticipated an entire new class of energy resource that the standard theory overlooked Climate Change & Catastro-phic Geologi-cal Events (Mass Extinc-tions, Trap Forma-tion) Deep-Earth degassing as the trigger of global catastrophes. Syvorotkin’s work (building on Larin’s theory) attributes Earth’s past mass extinctions and abrupt climate shifts to bursts of hydrogen degassing and associated volcanism. When planetary degassing intensifies (potentially modulated by astronomical alignments and inner core phases), huge quantities of H₂ and other reduced gases are released. These gases oxidize in the mantle and crust, generating extraordinary heat and causing Flood Basalt eruptions (large igneous provinces). For example, the Siberian Traps – which coincide with the end-Permian extinction – in this model were fueled by a massive hydrogen surge from the core. The released gases also strip Earth’s protective ozone layer when reaching the stratosphere, letting in excessive UV radiation​, and induce severe greenhouse effects or climatic oscillations (water vapor and CO₂ from oxidation). The outcome is global biotic crisis: toxic oceans (from oxygen depletion by H₂ reacting in water​), climatic extremes, and genetic stress from radiation – all of which align with evidence from past extinctions. Thus, events like mass extinctions, climate upheavals, and trap formations are unified in cause: catastrophic deep degassing episodes Surface catastrophic events. Traditional science explains mass extinctions and major climate changes by near-surface or extraterrestrial events. Key examples: the end-Permian extinction is linked to the Siberian Traps volcanism (which released CO₂, causing warming, plus emissions causing acid rain and ocean anoxia), and the end-Cretaceous extinction is attributed largely to a giant asteroid impact (the Chicxulub impact) and possibly coeval Deccan Traps eruptions. Each extinction event in the geologic record is examined individually – some are blamed on volcanism (flood basalt outpourings), others on impacts or sea-level changes – and these triggers are seen as largely independent coincidences. The formation of large igneous provinces (traps) is ascribed to mantle plumes or tectonic rifting events, and their environmental effects (e.g. extreme greenhouse warming, ocean acidification) are modeled via the volatiles they release. There is no single repeating driver; rather, a series of unique disasters is thought to have punctuated Earth’s history The Hydridic Earth perspective fuses disparate phenomena into one cause, providing a more integrated and potentially predictive understanding of Earth’s crises. It explains why mass extinctions often coincide with enormous volcanic events and geochemical upheavals: both stem from the same deep-Earth convulsion. This theory thereby connects the dots (extensive volcanism, climate shifts, species die-off, changes in atmospheric chemistry) in a way that standard explanations – which might invoke an impact here, a plume there – do not. For instance, mainstream geology acknowledges the Siberian Traps likely caused the Permian extinction​, but it doesn’t explain why the Traps themselves erupted so catastrophically right then. Larin and Syvorotkin do explain it: a cyclic core process reached a tipping point. By tying extinction events to periodic internal processes, the Hydridic model could potentially predict when Earth might enter a disaster phase (something the traditional model cannot do, as it sees these events as random). In essence, Larin’s theory adds a deeper precision by identifying an underlying engine for Earth’s biggest catastrophes, rather than treating each as an isolated incident Natural Hydrogen Explora-tion Potential & Energy Economy Geological hydrogen as a new energy resource. One of Larin’s most forward-looking predictions is that Earth’s degassing hydrogen can be directly tapped for energy. He identified specific locales – places where the mantle is shallow (5–8 km depth) or crust is thinned (rift zones, mid-ocean ridges, cratonic dome structures) – where hydrogen is concentrated enough to drill for​. In the late 1980s, Soviet researchers inspired by Larin even planned test wells; a feasibility study estimated that mining deep hydrogen could yield on the order of 100–200 million tons of oil equivalent from an area of just 10 km² above a mantle “diapir” structure​. This vision essentially paints hydrogen as a renewable geofluid, continually supplied from below. In a Hydridic Earth, hydrogen would seep akin to natural gas, making a “hydrogen economy” feasible by harvesting Earth’s own outgassing Historical viewpoint on H₂: Traditionally, the energy economy has not considered harvesting native hydrogen gas, because geology did not anticipate sizeable hydrogen accumulations. Hydrogen needed for industry was thought to must be produced (from hydrocarbons or water) rather than extracted from the ground. Until recently, any hydrogen emanating from the Earth (in volcanoes, hydrothermal vents, or serpentinized rocks) was assumed to be minor and diffuse, not a practicable resource. Thus, exploration efforts and energy infrastructure focused on coal, oil, and natural gas (and more recently, manufactured hydrogen via electrolysis or gas reforming). The concept of drilling for natural hydrogen is very new and was essentially absent from the conventional geologic paradigm Larin’s theory was decades ahead of its time in highlighting natural hydrogen’s importance. His detailed proposals for hydrogen extraction have gained real-world relevance now that substantial underground hydrogen deposits are being discovered. The Hydridic Earth framework not only predicted that such deposits exist, but also pinpointed where to look. Modern validation comes from discoveries like the Bourakébougou hydrogen field in Mali and numerous surface H₂ seeps – evidence that the Earth continuously provides hydrogen. These findings show that native hydrogen is far more abundant than geologists once assumed​. By having anticipated this, Larin’s theory demonstrates a level of foresight and precision in economic geology. It essentially opened the door to a potential green energy revolution (a planetary hydrogen economy) well before the concept existed in traditional science. In contrast, the standard model’s oversight of natural H₂ means it had no predictive power on this front – a clear win for the Hydridic Earth theory in terms of practical precision and impact The comparative analysis clearly highlights that Larin's Hydridic Earth Theory, complemented by Syvorotkin's insights, provides a more precise, integrated, and predictive framework for understanding Earth's geological structure, planetary formation, internal processes, and natural resource generation. Unlike the traditional silicate Earth model, this hydrogen-centric approach successfully anticipates and explains a range of phenomena — such as natural hydrogen seepages, metal hydrides in volcanic materials, and patterns of catastrophic geological events — often unexplained or considered anomalous by conventional geology. Thus, embracing Hydridic Earth Theory not only enhances our fundamental scientific understanding but also offers transformative opportunities for resource exploration and the global energy transition toward sustainable natural hydrogen