This, like my article on renewable energy, is a project for school. As you can see, it is on geothermal energy.

What does 'geothermal' mean?

Of or relating to the heat in the interior of the earth.*

The word 'geothermal' comes from the greek words geo, earth, and therme, heat. Therefore, geothermal means 'earth heat.'

What is geothermal energy?

Geothermal heat is heat emanating from the center of the , originating from the radioactive decay of elements in the core. This heat can take the form of magma below the surface, hot springs, geysers, or water trapped underground (known as a 'geothermal reservoir').

How have people used geothermal energy in the past?

The oldest use of geothermal energy is using hot springs to relax in. The Romans used the 'magic water' to treat skin and eye disease, and it was used to heat buildings at Pompeii. The Native Americans used hot spring for medicine and cooking. The Maoris of New Zealand have cooked goethermally for centuries. Since the 1960s, up to 200,000 homes in France have been heated geothermally.

How do people use geothermal energy today?

Geothermal energy can be used in a variety of ways.

What are the origins of geothermal energy?

Bibliography

Because I have to have one.

• Geothermal Education Office - Power From the Earth's Heat
  Researched October 22, 2004
  http://geothermal.marin.org/pwrheat.html
• Dictionary.com/geothermal
  Researched October 22, 2004
  http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=geothermal
• BBC-h2g2-A Conversation Forum
  **lurks**
  Researched November 5, 2004
  http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/brunel/F1913807?thread=504671
• EERE: Geothermal Energy - Basics
  Researched November 11, 2004
  http://www.eere.energy.gov/RE/geo_basics.html
• Geothermal Resources in Iceland
  Researched November 5, 2004
  http://www.energy.rochester.edu/is/reyk/