Geothermal Energy

Energy traped in the hot rocks below the earth's surface is called geothermal energy. Geothermal power is produced whenever water comes into contact with heated underground rocks and turns into steam. In countries such as New Zealand, Italy and the U.S.A. companies drill into areas where underground steam is trapped and direct it into the blades of steam turbines to produce electricity.

In areas where underground steam does not exist naturally, engineers can create it by injecting water into hot rock. Geothermal power plants do not burn anything, therefor no pollution is produced. Some of these plants produce electricity more cheaply than many ordinary power plants.

In Iceland, where there are many hot springs, hot water heats greenhouses, swimmingpools and even homes. Although Iceland is close to the Arctic Ocean, the people living there grow tropical fruits, such as bananas, in their geothermal heated greenhouses.