A disadvantage of ______ energy is that it can be used only in tectonically active areas.

• A. Solar
• B. Water
• C. Biomass
• D. Geothermal

Answer: (D)

Geothermal energy uses heat stored in the Earth, and the most accessible heat comes from regions where the ground is unusually hot near the surface—typically near tectonic plate boundaries or volcanic activity. That means its practical use is limited to those areas with substantial underground heat, making it less universally available than other energy sources. Solar energy, biomass, and hydroelectric power can be developed in many locations with sun, plants, or flowing water, respectively, so they aren’t tied to tectonic activity in the same way. Geothermal’s geographic constraint is the key reason it’s seen as a disadvantage.