Helium primarily comes from two sources:
- In space: Helium is abundant in the universe, formed mostly by nuclear fusion reactions inside stars, where hydrogen nuclei fuse to create helium. It is the second most abundant element in the known universe after hydrogen
- On Earth: Terrestrial helium is produced naturally underground through the radioactive decay of heavy elements such as uranium and thorium. This decay emits alpha particles (helium nuclei), which capture electrons and form helium gas. This helium then migrates through the Earth's crust and can become trapped in natural gas deposits
Most helium extracted commercially is obtained from natural gas fields where helium has accumulated in pockets mixed with natural gas. These deposits are found in places like the United States (notably Texas, Kansas, Oklahoma), Qatar, Russia, and other regions. The helium is separated from natural gas through cryogenic distillation and refining processes to achieve high purity for industrial and medical use
. In summary, helium on Earth originates from radioactive decay deep underground and is harvested mainly from natural gas reserves where it has accumulated over time
