geothermal gradient

The geothermal gradient is the rate at which Earth's temperature increases with depth beneath the surface. On average, it’s about 25 to 30 degrees Celsius per kilometer, meaning as you go deeper underground, it gets warmer. This increase happens because the Earth's interior is hot due to leftover heat from its formation and radioactive decay. Understanding this gradient is important for geothermal energy, volcanic activity, and studying Earth's interior. It's a natural process indicating how Earth's internal heat influences surface conditions and subsurface environment.