What is geothermal power? We have all probably heard about this before, but most of us do not understand what it means or how geothermal power can help combat global warming and renewable energy needs. The word geothermal comes from the Greek words for earth and heat. This energy is created from heat inside the earth. Geothermal energy is renewable and does not create harmful emissions like fossil fuels produce. The source of geothermal energy is water, which is heated up or turned into steam by the heat inside the earth. This energy can then be used to generate electricity and heat buildings instead of using natural gas or coal.

Geothermal energy comes from the core of the earth, and this source is approximately 4,000 miles below the crust of the earth's surface. All rock contains some radioactive particles, and as these particles slowly decay in the core of the earth, they can produce heat that is hotter than the surface of the sun.

The core of the earth is divided into two distinct layers: a solid layer and a molten rock layer called magma. The mantle is the next layer and is around 1,800 miles thick. The mantle completely surrounds the outer core. The last layer is the crust, which encompasses the sea floors and the land on which we walk. The crust of the earth is divided into plates and there are spaces or gaps between these plates. In the spaces between the plates, liquid rock or magma can come up to the surface of the crust. This results in a volcano. The deeper you go into the earth, the higher the temperature becomes because water and rocks are absorbing heat from the magma. Continue Reading »