Larderello

Larderello is a frazione of the comune of Pomarance, in Tuscany in central Italy. It is a volcanically active area, renowned for its geothermal productivity.

The region of Lardarello has experienced occasional phreatic volcanic eruptions, caused by explosive outbursts of steam trapped below the surface. The water is contained in metamorphic rocks where it is turned to steam which is then trapped beneath a dome of impermeable shales and clay. The steam escapes through faults in the dome and forces its way out in the hot springs. It possesses a dozen explosion craters 30–250 m in diameter. The largest is the Lago Vecchienna crater, now filled by a lake, which last erupted around 1282.

Larderello now produces 10% of the world's entire supply of geothermal electricity, amounting to 4,800 GWh per year and powering about a million Italian households. Its geology makes it uniquely conducive to geothermal power production, with hot granite rocks lying unusually close to the surface, producing steam as hot as 202 °C (396 °F).

The region was known from ancient times for its volcanic nature and exceptionally hot springs. The Romans used its sulphur springs for bathing.

Known as Montecerboli until the 19th century, it became one of the first places in the world where geothermal energy was exploited to support industry. In 1827, François Jacques de Larderel (), a Frenchman, invented a way of extracting boric acid from the volcanic mud by using steam to heat cauldrons to separate the two. Leopold II, Grand Duke of Tuscany was an enthusiastic supporter of Larderel's scheme and awarded him the title of Count of Montecerboli a decade later. A town, named Larderello in honour of Larderel's work, was founded to house the workers in the boric acid production factory.

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