- The origin of the word "Geothermal" is Greek. It comes from "geo" which means "earth" and "therme" which is translated "heat".
- Geothermal energy ultimately comes from radioactive decay in the core of the Earth, which heats the Earth from the inside out, and from the sun, which heats the surface.
- Volcanoes and geysers are examples of geothermal energy.
- The ancient Romans used geothermal energy to heat water in their bathhouses for centuries. They also used the water to treat illnesses and heat homes.
- The first geothermal power plant was started in 1904 in Larderello, Italy. It is still in operation today.
- Geothermal energy comes from the center of the earth. Its interior heat continual flows outwards towards the surface
- In 1864, a hotel in Oregon heated rooms using geothermal energy from underground hot springs.
- The first geothermal power plant opened in California in 1921.
- A professor at Ohio State University invented the first geothermal heating system in 1948.
- Geothermal electricity is clean – no fossil fuels are burned.
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