Helium deposits form through the radioactive decay of uranium and thorium in crustal rocks
Geological and geochemical studies consistently demonstrate that helium deposits commonly form through crustal processes, specifically the radiogenic accumulation of helium from the decay of radioactive elements like uranium and thorium in rocks.
The retrieved literature consistently supports the geological consensus that helium (specifically 4He) accumulates in the Earth's crust as a radiogenic byproduct of the decay of elements such as uranium and thorium.
Warr O, Ballentine CJ, Onstott TC, Nisson DM, Kieft TL, Hillegonds DJ, Sherwood Lollar B. <sup>86</sup>Kr excess and other noble gases identify a billion-year-old radiogenically-enriched groundwater system.. 2022. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-022-31412-2
Paper 2 identifies radiogenically-enriched groundwater systems where helium and other noble gases accumulate over long timescales in crustal basement rocks.
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Zhang C, Fang C, Li J, Xing G, Tan M, Wu T, Shao W, Liu T, Shi G. Origin and Key Enrichment Factors of Helium Resource in the Lower Yangtze Region, Eastern China.. 2025. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsomega.4c09908
Paper 6 establishes that regional helium enrichment is predominantly crustal in origin, deriving from ancient granitic basement source rocks undergoing radioactive decay.
Mitsutome Y, Toki T, Kagoshima T, Sano Y, Tomonaga Y, Ijiri A. Estimation of the depth of origin of fluids using noble gases in the surface sediments of submarine mud volcanoes off Tanegashima Island.. 2023. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-31582-z
Paper 9 confirms through noble gas isotope ratios that helium found in various geological formations is primarily of crustal origin.
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