Geothermal Energy

Geo –earth and thermal –heat is exactly as it says, heat from the earth. The center of the earth is 4,000 miles deep and is about 7,2000ºF (4,000ºC) hot. At 50-60 miles, partially molten rock exists at temperatures between 1,200º and 2,200ºF (650º to 1,200ºC).

"Archaeological evidence shows that the first human use of geothermal resources in North America occurred more than 10,000 years ago with the settlement of Paleo-Indians at hot springs. The springs served as a source of warmth and cleansing, their minerals as a source of healing. While people still soak in shallow pools heated by the Earth, engineers are developing technologies that will allow us to probe more than 10 miles below the Earth's surface in search of geothermal energy. We invite you to study the timeline of the recent history of geothermal energy in the United States". (US Department of Energy). For more information on the History of Geothermal Energy click here.

Geothermal resources range from shallow ground to hot water and rock several miles below the Earth's surface, and even farther down to the extremely hot molten rock called magma. Earth's heat energy can be used directly or converted into electricity. The three technology categories are geothermal heat pumps, direct-use applications, and power plants.