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What produces much of the heat inside Earth?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
In a thermoelectric generating system a heat source—usually fueled by coal, oil, or gas—is used within a boiler to convert water to high-pressure steam. The steam expands and turns the blades of a turbine, which turns the armature of a generator, producing electric power. A condenser converts any remaining steam to water, and a pump returns the water to the boiler.
heating In a thermoelectric generating system a heat source—usually fueled by coal, oil, or gas—is used within a boiler to convert water to high-pressure steam. The steam expands and turns the blades of a turbine, which turns the armature of a generator, producing electric power. A condenser converts any remaining steam to water, and a pump returns the water to the boiler.

Much of the heat inside Earth is produced primarily by the radioactive decay of isotopes such as potassium, thorium, and uranium located within the crust and mantle. During this process, the energy released from the disintegration of these radioactive nuclei is converted into heat.12

In addition to radioactive decay, internal heat is generated by friction occurring along the margins of continental plates. Furthermore, Earth’s core acts as a significant reservoir of heat, which may contribute as much as one-fifth of the total internal heat that eventually flows toward the surface. This immense store of energy drives geological processes, including plate tectonics, volcanism, and the convective churning of the mantle.132