Biruk Abera Cherkose (Ph.D.)

Postdoctoral Fellow: Center for Geophysics, Energy and Minerals (CGEM): @Colorado School of Mines

Email: birukabera.cherkose@mines.edu

About my current research

I am a researcher at the Colorado School of Mines (CSM) working primarily on geologic hydrogen exploration using the magnetotelluric (MT) geophysical method. My research focuses on understanding geologic hydrogen systems, with particular emphasis on mapping the distribution of serpentinization in potential source rocks.

Geologic hydrogen can be produced when water reacts with Fe-rich mafic and ultramafic rocks through a geochemical process known as serpentinization. This reaction can generate hydrogen while also changing the physical properties of the rocks, including their electrical conductivity, magnetic properties, density, and permeability. However, one of the key challenges in geologic hydrogen exploration is identifying where serpentinization is occurring in the subsurface, how fluids move through the system, and whether the subsurface architecture favors hydrogen generation and migration.

In my research, I address this problem by using MT data to investigate the electrical structure and directional properties of mafic and ultramafic rocks. In particular, I study how serpentinization-related features such as fractures, veins, mineral fabrics, and fluid pathways can produce electrical anisotropy, meaning that the rocks conduct electricity differently in different directions. By analyzing MT phase tensors, impedance responses, and related electromagnetic signatures, I aim to identify directional electrical patterns that may indicate organized reaction and migration pathways within geologic hydrogen systems.

The broader goal of my work is to move beyond simply detecting conductive zones and toward mapping the architecture of subsurface reaction systems. This approach may help identify favorable areas for natural hydrogen generation, migration, and accumulation, and may also provide insight for future stimulated hydrogen systems where fluid flow pathways and rock–water interaction are critical.

Recent publications related to the Geologic Hydrogen projects at the CGEM

  • Cherkose, B. A., Zhang, Z., Li, Y. (2026). Detecting Serpentinization Related Electrical Anisotropy Using Magnetotelluric Phase Tensors: Application in Geologic Hydrogen Exploration, Journal of Geophysics and Engineering, https://doi.org/10.1093/jge/gxag023

  • Cherkose, B.A., Zhang, M. & Li, Y. (2026). Finding geologic hydrogen generation in UAE ophiolites: insights from MT phase tensor mapping of serpentinization. Discov Appl Sci, https://doi.org/10.1007/s42452-026-08490-8

  • Cherkose, B. A, Zhang, M., Li., Y. A (2025). Geologic hydrogen investigation using magnetotelluric phase tensors: Case study from the UAE Ophiolite blocks, IMAGE Conference 25-28 August 2025, George R. Brown Convention Center Houston, Texas, USA.

    Zhang, M., Cherkose, B. A., Li., Y. (2025). Predicting potential geologic hydrogen reservoir locations using MT and seismic data, IMAGE Conference 25-28 August 2025, George R. Brown Convention Center Houston, Texas, USA.

Invited Talks

‍Google Scholar: Biruk Abera Cherkose (https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=bbsw1aYAAAAJ&hl=en)

LinkedIn: Biruk Abera Cherkose (https://www.linkedin.com/in/biruk-abera-cherkose-78581a86/)