Geothermal energy

Geothermal energyis thermal energygenerated and stored in the Earth. Thermal energy is the energy that determines the temperatureof matter. The geothermal energy of the Earth's crustoriginates from the original formation of the planet (20%) and from radioactive decayof minerals (80%). [ 1 ] [ 2 ]The geothermal gradient, which is the difference in temperature between the core of the planet and its surface, drives a continuous conduction of thermal energy in the form of heatfrom the core to the surface. The adjectivegeothermaloriginates from the Greek rootsγη (ge), meaning earth, andθερμος (thermos), meaning hot. Earth's internal heatis thermal energy generated from radioactive decay and continual heat loss from Earth's formation. [ 2 ]Temperatures at the core–mantle boundarymay reach over 4000 °C (7,200 °F). [ 3 ]The high temperature and pressure in Earth's interior cause some rock to melt and solid mantleto behave plastically, resulting in portions of mantle convectingupward since it is lighter than the surrounding rock. Rock and water is heated in the crust, sometimes up to 370 °C (700 °F).