Question

Geothermal energy flow accounts for what percentage of Earth's total energy flow? (answer in percentage, so if 5%, put 5)

A) 1%
B) 5%
C) 10%
D) 15%

Answer 1

Geothermal energy flow represents about 0.4% of Earth's total energy flow, which is less than any of the options provided in the question.

Step-by-step explanation:

Geothermal energy flow accounts for approximately 0.4% of Earth's total energy flow, not 1%, 5%, or 15%. Therefore, none of the options A) 1%, B) 5%, C) 10%, D) 15% are correct. Globally, around 10 GW of electricity is produced through geothermal sources, along with an estimated 28 GW of direct heating. These figures combined represent about 0.4% of the 18 TW of the global energy budget after thermal equivalent adjustment. While geothermal energy is a significant source of energy in some regions, particularly along the Pacific Rim and in countries like Iceland, it still constitutes a relatively small fraction of the global energy mix. The sustainable extraction of geothermal heat, which is replenished by radioactive decay within the Earth, faces numerous challenges, including the need for deep boreholes to access sufficient heat for electricity or heating purposes.