The interior of the Earth represents an enormous reservoir of energy. Most of it, with the exception of the relatively thin surface‐crust material, is at a temperature either close to, or above, the melting‐point range for the rock and metallic alloys that make up the mantle and core. Yet this great energy reservoir is not at present a generally useful resource, being currently tapped only in a few small areas where surface conditions permit an economic yield. What are the problems limiting the development of geothermal energy to its full potential?

Topics
Energy development, Geothermal energy, Tectonophysics
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© 1977 American Institute of Physics.
1977
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