1.
geothermal heat; underground heat
Heat originating from inside the Earth, especially the heat used as an energy source via volcanic and hot-spring activity. In Japan, often discussed as a source of renewable power.
Compound of 地 (earth) + 熱 (heat). Refers to the heat stored within the Earth, used as an energy resource especially in volcanically active regions.
Common collocations
- 地熱発電: geothermal power generation
- 地熱エネルギー: geothermal energy
- 地熱資源: geothermal resources
- 地熱利用: use of geothermal heat
Usage
Japan, with about 10% of the world's active volcanoes, has the third-largest geothermal potential in the world but only a small share is currently developed for power. The term appears often in discussions of renewable energy policy.