The source of up to half of the Earth's internal heat is completely unknown—here's how to hunt for it
Friday, August 4, 2017 - 08:02
in Earth & Climate
It may not be obvious while lying in the sun on a hot summer's day, but a considerable amount of heat is also coming from below you – emanating from deep within the Earth. This heat is equivalent to more than three times the total power consumption of the entire world and drives important geological processes, such as the movement of tectonic plates and the flow of magma near the surface of the Earth. But despite this, where exactly up to half of this heat actually comes from is a mystery.