Basalt grey fine grained volcanic rock

Basalt

Dark grey fine grained volcanic rock composed of plagioclase, pyroxene and olivine, with relatively low silica (45-52 wt %). The composition reflects an upper mantle origin. Basalt is the most common type of volcanic rock on Earth, and it erupts from mid-ocean spreading ridges and hot spots (e.g., Hawaii and Iceland). The intrusive coarsely crystalline igneous rock equivalent is called gabbro.

Geothermal Glossary

Word of the Week – Direct Use

Word of the Week – Direct Use

Direct use The utilization of geothermal heat as an energy resource, e.g., to heat (or cool) a building such as a greenhouse, for drying, for manufacturing.

Word of the Week – Directional Drilling

Word of the Week – Directional Drilling

Directional Drilling The practice of steering the trajectory of a well during drilling from vertical to a deviated angle, including horizontal drilling used for oil and gas production from poorly permeable rocks. Directional drilling may also be used to maneuver...

Word of the Week – District Heating

Word of the Week – District Heating

District heating A scheme for distributing centrally produced thermal energy via a network of pipes to heat residential and commercial buildings. Such schemes are energy efficient and ideally suited for utilizing geothermal resources.

Utah FORGE

Advancing innovative technologies to unlock Earth’s limitless geothermal energy.