In my previous journal, "What Makes Iceland Special?", I mentioned that "The Eurasian and North American tectonic plates move apart by a few centimeters each year, causing significant volcanic activity on the island." This volcanic activity not only shapes Iceland’s landscape but also makes it a major source of geothermal energy. It's a huge benefit to people that live there!
The term "geothermal" comes from the Greek words geo (earth) and therme (heat). In Iceland, geothermal energy is harnessed from the heat stored beneath the Earth’s surface. The country constantly monitors volcanic activity, as well as geothermal hotspots scattered across the island. These hotspots are important for tapping into geothermal energy, and power plants typically drill in areas where the geothermal heat is strongest.
When my classmates and I arrived at Orka Nátturunnar's geothermal exhibition, we were greeted by clouds of smoke. Later, when we were on a tour of the plant, our tour guide let us know that the smoke was actually steam. The steam is a byproduct of drilling for geothermal water.
