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The heat from the earth's core flows outward and is transferred to a surrounding layer of rock. When melted it becomes magma. The magma rises and slowly moves towards the earth's crust while carrying heat with it. Most often it remains below the earth's crust heating up nearby rock and water. Some of this hot geothermal water breaks through faults and cracks and reaches the earth's surface as hot springs or gysers.
How power plants get it...
They drill near where geologic processes have allowed magma to rise up. Then a looping system is installed where it allows steam to rise from the earth.
How it gets to you, the consumer...
Underground loops of plastic piping are buried in the ground near your home or buisness which is connected to a pumping model on the side of your home. The pump circulates the mixture or water and antifreeze through the loops where it absorbs heat from the earth. When the heated water reaches the pump inside your home it is multiplied and used to heat the inside of your air handling system. Where it blows warm air throughout the building.
Location Location Location...
~It is located in the western U.S.A
~Hot regions around plate margins such as: South American Andes, Mexico, Canada, the Aleutian range of Alaska, the Kamchatka peninsula, Japan, the Philippines, Indonesia and New Zealand.
~Spreading centers where plates slide apart such as: Iceland, the rift valleys of Africa, mid Atlantic ridge, the basin and range providences of the U.S.A, and the Hawiian Islands
~The countries producing the most electricity with geothermal resiviors are the U.S.A, New Zealand, Iceland, Mexico, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Japan.
Animation Old Faithful Live Cam |
