Geothermal Energy

earth science · renewable energy · heat

Earth's Inner Heat. Deep below our feet, the Earth is incredibly hot, hotter than the surface of the sun in some places. This heat comes from when our planet formed billions of years ago and from radioactive elements breaking down inside the crust.

Ancient Hot Baths. People have used geothermal energy for thousands of years, mostly for hot springs and bathing. The Romans and Japanese used geothermal heat long before we had modern technology.

Electricity from Steam. Today, we pump water down into hot rocks deep underground, and it turns into steam. That steam spins turbines to make electricity, just like in other power plants, but without burning fuel.

Heating Homes. In some countries like Iceland, geothermal energy heats buildings and even sidewalks to keep them from icing over. It's one of the cleanest ways to keep people warm year-round.

Always Available. Unlike solar or wind energy, geothermal power works 24 hours a day, no matter the weather or time of year. This makes it super reliable for powering cities.