geothermal
adjective
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Geothermal comes partly from the Greek thermos, "hot". Most geothermal electricity is provided by power plants situated in areas where there is significant activity of the Earth's great tectonic plates—often the same areas where volcanoes are found. But hot water from deep underground may be used by cities far from volcanoes to heat buildings or sidewalks. And a newer source of geothermal energy relies on a less dramatic kind of heat: Individual homeowners can now install heat pumps that take advantage of the 50°-60° temperature of the soil near the surface to provide heating in cold weather (and air-conditioning in the warm months). These very small-scale geothermal systems may eventually supply more useful energy than the large power plants.
Examples of geothermal in a Sentence
Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 2 June 2024
The practice has also been employed in Asia since at least the sixth century A.D., when nomadic Buddhists are said to have brought the concept of onsen (inns and bathhouses built around natural geothermal pools) to Japan from the Korean Peninsula.
—Gisela Williams, New York Times, 28 May 2024
If that all sounds too active, opt for a soak at the historic Morton’s Warm Springs, another spot to enjoy the scenic Sonoma Creek, with geothermal pools heated to 84 to 94 degrees, depending on weather.
—Amber Turpin, The Mercury News, 27 May 2024
Today Boise leaders see their geothermal system as a key component to meeting the city's climate neutrality goals.
—Kirk Siegler, NPR, 8 May 2024
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“Geothermal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/geothermal. Accessed 6 Jun. 2024.
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geothermal
adjective
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