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What Is Geothermal Energy and Where Is It Found

Interactive passage with audio narration, comprehension questions, and printable PDF.

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Format: Interactive (Online), Printable (PDF)
Grades: 678
Subjects: scienceela
Standards: MS-ESS3-1
Languages: English, Spanish

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Reading passage

Reading comprehension

Audio narration

With word word highlighting

Comprehension quiz

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Writing activity

Open-ended response

Glossary & flashcards

Vocabulary practice

Differentiated version

Adapted for varied levels

Spanish translation

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About this reader

This comprehensive 650-word reading passage explains geothermal energy for middle school students in grades 6-8. Students learn how Earth's internal heat is accessed through geothermal wells in tectonically active areas to generate electricity and heat buildings. The passage covers key concepts including Earth's internal structure, heat transfer, tectonic plate boundaries, and the process of converting thermal energy into electrical energy. Aligned with NGSS standard MS-ESS3-1, this resource includes audio integration for enhanced accessibility. The passage features clear explanations of scientific vocabulary, real-world examples from Iceland and California, and connections to renewable energy concepts. Supplementary materials include a simplified differentiated version for struggling readers, Spanish translations, a comprehensive glossary, multiple-choice questions, writing activities, and graphic organizers. This curriculum resource helps students understand how humans harness natural energy resources while exploring Earth's dynamic systems and sustainable energy solutions.

Written by Workybooks TeamPublished by Workybooks

Sample passage and quiz content

CONTENT PREVIEW

Geothermal energy is heat that comes from inside Earth..Geothermal power plant in the United States / Wikimedia Commons

Geothermal energy is heat that comes from inside Earth. The word "geothermal" comes from Greek words meaning "earth" and "heat." Deep beneath Earth's surface, temperatures can reach over 5,000 degrees Celsius. This incredible heat is left over from when Earth formed billions of years ago, and it is also produced by the decay of radioactive elements in Earth's core and mantle. Humans have learned to capture this natural heat and convert it into electricity and heating for buildings.

Earth's internal heat moves toward the surface through a process called conduction. Heat transfers from the hot mantle through the cooler crust, which is Earth's outermost layer. In most places, this heat is too deep to access easily. However, in certain locations called tectonically active areas, Earth's heat comes much closer to the surface. These areas are found near tectonic plate boundaries, where Earth's crust is cracked into large pieces that slowly move. At these boundaries, volcanic activity and earthquakes are common, and hot rocks exist closer to the surface than in other locations.

To capture geothermal energy, engineers drill deep wells called geothermal wells into the ground. These wells can reach depths of one to three kilometers. The wells access hot rocks and underground water that has been heated by Earth's internal heat. When water comes into contact with these hot rocks deep underground, it becomes extremely hot—sometimes turning into steam. This hot water or steam is then brought to the surface through pipes in the geothermal well.

Once the hot water or steam reaches the surface, it flows into a geothermal power plant. Inside the plant, the steam spins large turbines, which are machines with blades similar to a fan. As the turbines spin, they turn generators that produce electricity. This is the same basic process used in other types of power plants, but geothermal plants use Earth's natural heat instead of burning fossil fuels. After the steam passes through the turbines, it cools down and condenses back into water. This water is often pumped back underground through injection wells, where it can be heated again and reused in a continuous cycle.

Geothermal energy works best in tectonically active regions. Iceland is an excellent example of a country that uses geothermal energy extensively. Iceland sits on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, where two tectonic plates are pulling apart. This geological setting brings hot rocks very close to the surface. Nearly 90 percent of homes in Iceland are heated using geothermal energy. In the United States, California has several geothermal power plants near the border with Nevada, where tectonic activity creates ideal conditions. The Geysers in northern California is the world's largest geothermal power plant complex.

Geothermal energy is considered a renewable energy source because Earth's internal heat will continue for millions of years. Unlike coal or natural gas, geothermal energy does not produce air pollution or greenhouse gases during electricity generation. However, geothermal energy is limited to certain geographic locations. Areas without tectonic activity cannot easily access Earth's internal heat. Despite this limitation, geothermal energy provides a clean, reliable source of power in regions where it is available.

Interesting Fact: The word "geyser" comes from Geysir, a famous hot spring in Iceland. Geysers are natural features where underground water is heated by geothermal energy and periodically erupts as steam and hot water at the surface.

What does the word 'geothermal' mean?

Earth and heatWater and steamRock and fireEnergy and power

Where does Earth's internal heat come from?

Only from the sun's radiationFrom when Earth formed and from radioactive decayFrom burning fossil fuels undergroundFrom ocean water heating the rocks

What is conduction?

The movement of tectonic platesThe drilling of geothermal wellsThe transfer of heat through direct contactThe spinning of turbines in a power plant

Why do geothermal wells work best near tectonic plate boundaries?

Because the water is cleaner thereBecause hot rocks are closer to the surface thereBecause there is more rainfall in those areasBecause the crust is thicker in those locations

How deep can geothermal wells reach?

10 to 20 meters100 to 200 meters1 to 3 kilometers10 to 15 kilometers

What happens to steam after it passes through the turbines in a geothermal power plant?

It is released into the atmosphereIt cools down, condenses into water, and is pumped back undergroundIt is stored in large tanks for later useIt is used to heat nearby buildings

What percentage of homes in Iceland are heated using geothermal energy?

About 50 percentAbout 65 percentAbout 75 percentNearly 90 percent

Why is geothermal energy considered a renewable energy source?

Because it can be created in a laboratoryBecause Earth's internal heat will continue for millions of yearsBecause it uses water that falls as rainBecause new geothermal wells can always be drilled

True or False: Geothermal energy produces air pollution and greenhouse gases during electricity generation.

TrueFalse

True or False: Geothermal energy can be easily accessed in all locations around the world.

TrueFalse