Mechanism for water formation on rocky exoplanets demonstrated in the lab

Experiments have revealed that the interaction between a hydrogen-rich atmosphere and a molten planet leads to high levels of water production. Through this process, planets could be enriched with water during their formation, altering their chemistry, evolution and, possibly, habitability. At high pressures and temperatures, hydrogen can reduce iron oxides to produce iron and water.

Publication Details

Journal
Nature
Published
2025-12-17
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-025-04015-2
Primary Topic
High-pressure geophysics and materials
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
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article

Mechanism for water formation on rocky exoplanets demonstrated in the lab

Nature
High-pressure geophysics and materials
article

Mechanism for water formation on rocky exoplanets demonstrated in the lab

article en

Abstract

Experiments have revealed that the interaction between a hydrogen-rich atmosphere and a molten planet leads to high levels of water production. Through this process, planets could be enriched with water during their formation, altering their chemistry, evolution and, possibly, habitability. At high pressures and temperatures, hydrogen can reduce iron oxides to produce iron and water.

Nature
Openalex Percentile: Top 57%
High-pressure geophysics and materials
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Mechanism for water formation on rocky exoplanets demonstrated in the lab · Nature (2025) | TGRS Research Map | TGRS