Could we use volcanoes to make electricity?

Find out if people could tap into Earth's fiery depths to generate energy.

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Turning red-hot lava from an active volcano into electricity would be dangerous and unreliable. It’s hard to know when volcanoes will erupt – they are unpredictable – and lava cools much too quickly. Many countries, however, have found ways to tap into volcanic heat to generate electricity.

Geothermal energy is heat that is produced by natural processes deep within the planet. In most areas, this heat only warms rocks and underground water near the surface. In volcanically active regions, however, it is much more intense. Sometimes it’s enough to melt rock and form magma (molten rock).

Harnessing an explosive power

Volcanoes act like giant chimneys, raising magma closer to Earth’s surface. Some of this molten rock may erupt onto the surface, but most of it stays underground, heating the surrounding rocks and water. Where heated water rises to the surface, you can find hot springs that can last for thousands of years.