A line or surface in the earth along which temperature is constant, used to map how heat increases with depth underground.
From Greek 'geo-' (earth) + 'therme' (heat). This term emerged in geophysics in the 20th century as scientists developed temperature-measuring technology to study Earth's interior.
The deeper you dig into Earth, the hotter it gets—roughly 25°C per kilometer! Geotherms help scientists create maps showing this temperature gradient, and they're crucial for predicting volcanic eruptions, understanding ore formation, and exploring for geothermal energy sources.
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