Drawing on nature, researchers have developed a method to pump CO2 captured from industrial processes into volcanic rocks for safe and permanent underground storage.

From carbonated water to carbonated rock

While most carbon projects focus on offshore storage, CarbFix2’s terrestrial approach marks a vital shift: it speeds up natural mineralization processes within basalt, a volcanic rock formed from cooling lava.

At Hellisheiði, CO2 is captured from the geothermal plant and two direct air capture units. The CO2 gas is dissolved in water—much like making a fizzy drink—and pumped deep into porous layers of basalt, where minerals in the rock react with the CO2 and turn it into solid carbonate rock.