geo-, ge- +

A reference to a satellite which has an orbit which appears to be fixed in a position related to the earth that does not necessarily lie in the earth's equatorial plane as it is when it is geostationary.

Referring to any equatorial satellite with an orbital velocity equal to the rotational velocity of the Earth resulting in a satellite that is apparently motionless for any observer on the Earth: A geosynchronous satellite has an orbit similar to a geostationary one, except that it does not necessarily lie in the Earth's equatorial plane.

An extensive, basin-shaped, mobile downward subsidence of the earth's crust, caused by the deposition of considerable thicknesses of sedimentary and volcanic rocks over millions of years.

Referring to the movement of a motile organism using the earth's gravity for orientation.

1. A locomotor movement by an animal in response to a gravitational stimulus.
2. Taxis or movements of an animal in response to gravitational forces.
3. A directed response of a motile (moving) organism towards (positive) or away from (negative) the direction of gravity; in other words, a movement of a motile micro-organism or cell in response to the force of gravity.

1. The art of modifying and adapting the physical nature of the earth to the needs of humans.
2. The application of scientific methods and engineering principles to civil engineering problems through acquiring, interpreting, and using knowledge of materials of the crust of the earth.
3. Research that leads to increasing the habitability of the earth.

The application of scientific methods and engineering techniques to the exploitation and utilization of natural resources; such as, mineral resources.

1. Of or relating to the shape, structure, and arrangement of the rock masses resulting from structural deformation of the earth's crust.
2. Relating to the form, arrangement, and structure of rock masses of the earth's crust resulting from folding or faulting.

Relating to the large-scale structure of the earth's crust.

1. Relating to, or caused by, the internal heat of the earth.
2. Describing an energy system that makes use of the internal heat produced by the earth.

The use of geothermal heat in agriculture; that is, the use of low-temperature geothermal water to warm irrigation water or to sterilize soil.

The use of geothermal heat in fish farming; such as, the use of geothermally heated water to provide a controlled environment for the husbandry of marine organisms.

The use of naturally cooler water, or air, to lower the temperature of a building, as opposed to air or water that is artificially cooled.

The process of drilling a well to explore for or to extract geothermal energy, or to re-inject thermal waste water in the ground after power generation.

You may see more information about geothermal drilling here.

1. Energy in the form of natural heat flowing outward from within the earth and contained in rocks, water, brines, or steam.
2. Heat which is produced mainly by the decay of naturally occurring radioactive isotopes of thorium, potassium, and uranium in the earth's core.
3. An energy produced by tapping the earth's internal heat. At present, the only available technologies to do this are those that extract heat from hydrothermal convection systems, where water or steam transfer the heat from the deeper part of the earth to the areas where the energy can be tapped.

The amount of pollutants found in geothermal vary from area to area but may contain arsenic, boron, selenium, lead, cadmium, and fluorides. They also may contain hydrogen sulphide, mercury, ammonia, radon, carbon dioxide, and methane.

Getting the Earth's Heat

Geothermal power plants, which tap hot subterranean water or steam, are high on the lists of at least thirty states in the U.S. which are requiring utility companies to generate some portion of their electricity from such renewable sources.

Most utilities have not pursued geothermal energy primarily because up-front costs, including exploratory drilling, can be expensive since geothermal taps deep reservoirs, not groundwater, which collects much closer to the surface.

An extensive study recently released by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology has shown that the heat available under ground is surprisingly plentiful nationwide.

More information about special Geothermal Energy sources.