What Is Geothermal Energy?

Geothermal Energy is a natural resource that comes from the heat

generated from the rock layers underneath earths crust. The heat is
caused by convection in the mantle from magma (which is made of
melted rocks) and is mostly caused by the decay of radioactive
materials such as Uranium. Temperatures can range up to 5000
degrees centigrade, and the heat can rise up from a depth of over
4000 miles.
http://www.technologystudent.com/energy1/geo1.htm

How Do We Harvest Geothermal Energy

Geothermal energy is harvested with geothermal heat pumps that are placed underground and
occasionally in bodies of water.
Heat pumps can heat and cool the house, and, if properly equipped, supply the house with hot water.
There are 4 main types of geothermal heat pumps: (closed-loop) horizontal, (closed-loop) vertical,
(closed-loop) pond/lake, and open-loop.
The closed-loop systems circulate antifreeze through a closed-loop of tubing that is underground or submerged in
water. A heat exchanger transfers heat between the refrigerant in the heat pump and the antifreeze solution in the
loop.
Open-loop systems use well or surface body water as the heat exchange fluid that circulates directly through the
system. Once it has circulated through the system, the water returns to the ground through the well, a recharge
well, or surface discharge
Information and images from: http://energy.gov/energysaver/geothermal-heat-pumps