Kaynak dil: İngilizce
The volume of rocks from which heat can be extracted is called the geothermal reservoir, which contains hot fluids, a summary term describing hot water, vapour and gases. A geothermal reservoir is usually surrounded by colder rocks that are hydraulically connected with the reservoir. Hence water may move from colder rocks outside the reservoir (recharge) towards the reservoir, where hot fluids move under the influence of buoyancy forces towards a discharge area.