Geothermal Energy and Geological Phenomena
What is Geothermal Energy?
- Geothermal energy is the Earth’s internal heat.
- It produces phenomena such as:
- Movement of the continents
- Volcanoes
- Earthquakes
- The origin of mountain ranges and ridges
- The formation of some rocks and their deformation
Where Does the Heat Inside the Earth Come From?
- The impact of various stellar bodies colliding with the planet during its formation.
- Radiation emitted by the decay of different radioactive elements present on Earth, such as Uranium, Thorium, and Potassium.
What Temperature Will Be at 300 km Depth?
1600 ºC
Alfred Wegener’s Theory of Continental Drift
The continents were once united into a single supercontinent called Pangea.
Evidence Supporting Wegener’s Theory of Continental Drift
Geographical, climatic, biological, and paleontological evidence.
Types of Lithospheric Plates
Oceanic, Continental, or Mixed.
Why Do Lithospheric Plates Move?
Due to convection currents.
Where is the Juan de Fuca Plate?
Between the Pacific Plate and the western United States.
What are Convection Currents?
Currents that transfer energy from one point to another in any fluid (solid, liquid, and gaseous) due to the movement of the fluid itself.
What is a Volcano?
A volcano is the expulsion of magma to the outside in the form of liquid, solid, and gas.
Products Resulting from a Volcanic Eruption
Lava, gases, and solids or pyroclastics (ash, lapilli, volcanic bombs).
Main Types of Volcanoes
- Hawaiian: Very fluid magma.
- Strombolian: Less fluid magma.
- Pelean: Viscous magma.
What is Attenuated Volcanism?
Emissions of gases or liquids at high temperatures in areas near non-active volcanoes. It can manifest as fumaroles, hot springs, or geysers.
Earthquakes
What is a Seismograph?
Devices that detect seismic waves.
Elements of an Earthquake
- Hypocenter: The place where the earthquake originates.
- Epicenter: The point on the Earth’s surface directly above the hypocenter.
- Seismic waves: Vibrations that cause earthquakes.
Earth’s Discontinuities
- Mohorovičić discontinuity (Moho)
- Gutenberg discontinuity
What is Pangea?
Pan: All, Gaia: Earth. It refers to the supercontinent that existed millions of years ago.
Volcanic Eruption Prediction
- Temperature rise of groundwater.
- Earthquakes and ground elevations.
- Abnormal behavior of animals.
- Appearance of cracks through which volcanic gases escape.
Earthquake Prediction
- Ground surface inclination.
- Changes in the Earth’s magnetic field.
- Low-intensity earthquakes that can be detected earlier.
- Variation in water level of wells and underground streams.
What is a Tsunami?
Tsu: Port/Bay, Nami: Wave. A large ocean wave usually caused by an undersea earthquake or volcanic eruption.
What is the Magnitude of an Earthquake?
The energy released during the earthquake.
What is the Intensity of an Earthquake?
Its destructive effects.
Volcanic Area in Central Spain
Campo de Calatrava (Ciudad Real).
Radioactive Elements Producing Geothermal Energy
Uranium, Thorium, Potassium.
Scale Used to Measure Earthquake Intensity
The Mercalli scale.
Scale Used to Measure Earthquake Magnitude
The Richter scale.
Internal Geological Processes
Processes driven by the high pressures and high temperatures inside the Earth.
What is the Asthenosphere?
A layer of Earth beneath the lithosphere formed by partially melted rocks with a texture similar to gelatin.
Products Resulting from a Volcano
Water vapor, hydrogen sulfide, and carbon dioxide.
What is a Seismogram?
The charts that record seismic waves, showing their shape and amplitude.