Scientists have identified eight volcanic formations across Northern Ireland, Scotland, and England that could revolutionize UK carbon capture and storage by permanently turning CO2 into stone.
Volcanic rocks formed millions of years ago beneath UK soil could lock away 45 years’ worth of the country’s industrial carbon dioxide emissions by turning the greenhouse gas into solid stone. Researchers at the University of Edinburgh have mapped eight underground volcanic formations that could store more than 3,000 million tonnes of industrial CO2 waste, offering a major breakthrough for UK carbon capture and storage efforts in the fight against climate change.
The study examined volcanic rock formations across Northern Ireland, Scotland, and England, focusing on areas where ancient lava flows created rocks rich in calcium and magnesium. These minerals naturally bond with CO2 to form solid rock, effectively trapping the greenhouse gas permanently underground.
The storage method works by capturing CO2 from factories and power plants, dissolving it in water, and pumping this carbonated mixture deep into volcanic rock formations. The carbon-infused water seeps into natural cracks and spaces within the rocks, where it reacts with calcium and magnesium to create new minerals. Over time, the liquid transforms into solid stone, locking the CO2 away for good.
Northern Ireland’s Antrim Lava Group showed the largest storage capacity, with the ability to hold 1,400 million tonnes of CO2. The Borrowdale Volcanic Group in England’s Lake District could store 700 million tonnes, while Scotland’s Isle of Skye formations could hold around 600 million tonnes. Together, these sites represent a significant expansion of UK carbon capture and storage capacity, potentially absorbing nearly half a century of emissions from factories, cement plants, and other industrial facilities.
The research team calculated storage capacity by studying the surface area, thickness, and chemical makeup of each rock formation. They focused on volcanic rocks called basalts, which contain high levels of reactive minerals. The porous nature of these rocks provides ample space for the storage process to occur.
Similar technology has already proven successful in smaller trials overseas. Iceland has operated a pilot project that demonstrated CO2 turns to stone within just two years of injection. Projects in the United States have confirmed that the process works safely and securely. These international examples show the technology can move beyond theory into practical application for UK carbon capture and storage initiatives.
The UK faces pressure to reduce carbon emissions dramatically to meet climate targets. International agreements aim to limit global temperature increases to between 1.5 and 2 degrees Celsius above historical levels. Meeting these goals requires not just cutting emissions but also removing CO2 that industries cannot eliminate immediately.
Many industries struggle to eliminate all their carbon emissions. Cement production, steel manufacturing, and chemical plants release CO2 as an unavoidable part of their processes. These sectors need storage solutions that can handle their ongoing emissions while they develop cleaner technologies. This new approach to UK carbon capture and storage offers a permanent solution rather than temporary containment.
The volcanic formations identified in the study sit primarily in rural areas. The Antrim Lava Group stretches across County Antrim in Northern Ireland, where ancient volcanic activity created extensive basalt formations. The Lake District’s Borrowdale Volcanic Group formed from explosive eruptions over 450 million years ago. The Isle of Skye contains lava flows from volcanic activity that occurred around 60 million years ago.
These rock formations exist deep underground, typically thousands of feet below the surface. The depth protects the stored CO2 from leaking back into the atmosphere. The solid mineral form created through this process cannot escape, unlike CO2 stored as gas or liquid, which requires constant monitoring to prevent leaks.
The research team used geological surveys, chemical analysis, and volume calculations to assess each site. They measured the reactive surface area available within the rocks and determined how much CO2 the chemical reactions could handle. Their estimates represent conservative, mid-range projections rather than maximum possible capacity.
The study appeared in Earth Science, Systems and Society, published by the Geological Society of London. The National Environment Research Council provided funding for the research. The publication marks an important step in identifying practical solutions using existing geological resources for UK carbon capture and storage programs.
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The research team plans next to assess how quickly CO2 can flow through the rocks and how efficiently the reactions occur in real-world conditions. These measurements will determine how fast each formation can convert CO2 into stone and inform the development of commercial-scale projects.
The findings arrive as governments and industries worldwide search for reliable carbon storage methods. This approach to UK carbon capture and storage offers advantages over other storage methods because the CO2 becomes chemically bound in solid form rather than remaining as compressed gas. This permanence eliminates concerns about long-term monitoring and potential leakage that affect other storage methods.
The eight formations identified span some of the UK’s most scenic landscapes. However, the actual storage would occur far beneath the surface, leaving no visible impact on the countryside. Access points for injection would be small facilities similar to existing industrial sites.
Scientists describe the process as turning back the clock on carbon emissions. The CO2 that was released from burning fossil fuels or manufacturing cement gets returned to a mineral form similar to where it originally came from. This creates a closed loop that could help industries continue operating while reducing their climate impact through UK carbon capture and storage solutions.
