Geothermal vents. Steam rising from geothermal vents near Monterotondo, in the Larderello area of Tuscany, Italy. The Larderello geothermal area, the

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Geothermal vents. Steam rising from geothermal vents near Monterotondo, in the Larderello area of Tuscany, Italy. The Larderello geothermal area, the site of the world's first geothermal power station, has been used to generate electricity since 1913. It is one of the world's largest producers of geothermal energy. Hot granite rocks lie close to the surface, heating underground water to produce steam at high temperatures. The steam is channeled through pipes (seen in the background) to the numerous power stations in the region.

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Size: 5583px × 4452px
Photo credit: © MARTIN BOND/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
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