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In geologically suitable areas, heat from deep within the Earth's interior can rise up to the surface. Such heat is referred to as geothermal energy. Whenever water enters fissures in this hot rock, it can become heated and can emerge on the surface as hot springs, or even as steam, creating features such as steam vents, geysers and hot mud springs.
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Alternatively, heated water can be trapped below the Earth's surface as a geothermal reservoir. This heat can reach temperatures of 400°C and can be accessed by drilling to depths of over two miles.
Ground source heat is extracted from the low temperature heat (around 10-20oC) that is found at relatively shallow depths within the Earth's crust. This source of heat remains at a relatively constant temperature all year and can be taken from the ground or from water within the ground (groundwater). Heat pumps can increase the temperature of this heat to provide a more useful output temperature of around 40-50oC which is ideal for low temperature heating systems like underfloor systems and radiant panels.
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