Abstract Natural hydrogen gas (H 2 ) generated through the serpentinization of mantle rocks is a possible source of clean energy. For efficient serpentinization and large‐scale H 2 generation to occur, mantle rocks need to be brought near the surface (exhumed) into a favorable temperature range (the serpentinization window) and in contact with water. Rift‐inversion orogens that form when rift basins are closed and tectonically inverted provide promising environments for serpentinization‐related H 2 generation and the accumulation of economical H 2 volumes. Erosion is known to impact exhumation processes, but how erosion efficiency influences serpentinization and associated H 2 resource potential in rift‐inversion orogens remains poorly understood. We use numerical geodynamic models with varying rifting phase durations to address this question. We find that, on the one hand, efficient erosion can cause a shift from a typical symmetric orogenic style to an asymmetric style in systems with limited preceding rifting, thus promoting mantle exhumation and creating favorable conditions for efficient serpentinization that may lead to bulk natural H 2 generation. Independent of erosion efficiency, advanced rifting facilitates the formation of asymmetric orogens and the mantle exhumation needed for efficient serpentinization, showing that rift duration is a dominant factor to consider. On the other hand, highly efficient erosion can limit serpentinization potential in all settings as rapid exhumation of hot material narrows the serpentinization window's vertical extent. Moreover, the removal of potential reservoir and seal rocks diminishes the likelihood of natural H 2 accumulations forming. Using these insights, we present a speculative first‐order application to the Pyrenees, Alps, and Betics.
Zwaan et al. (Fri,) studied this question.