Yes, you read it right!

Geodynamics has just been thrown onto the PR defensive. Following a test in Switzerland, fresh concerns have recently arisen that geothermal power could inadvertently start earthquakes.

According to this report "... earlier this month, Swiss engineers halted a geothermal heat experiment after it set off a small earthquake. The tremor, near Basel on December 9, measured 3.4 on the Richter scale and caused widespread fear, prompting about 1000 calls to emergency services".

Switzerland is not known for exciting news - so you can imagine this has caused quite a stir.

Geodynamics should be well placed in Australia because it has a recognised potential for geothermal energy - the world's hottest known granite corridors, with temperatures reaching about 235 degrees at a depth of 3.5 kilometres. Additionally in Australia's favour is that it has the world's most geologically stable rock formation. That's why there was some plan (rejected) to plant all of the world's nuclear waste in the middle of the Outback a few years ago.