Based on geophysical, geological and geochemical investigations carried out in the last decade, we reviewed three major geothermal plays that well represent the different structural, volcanological and hydrogeological realms that can be encountered in the East African Rift System (EARS). Alalobeda (Ethiopia) and Menengai (Kenya) are examples of typical geothermal plays of the Eastern Branch of EARS. The former is a fault-leakage-controlled geothermal play located in a graben structure. The heat source is likely deep-seated, widespread magmatism, associated with the lithosphere thinning that regionally affects this area. The reservoir temperature of the water-dominated system ranges from 185 to 225 °C. Menengai can be classified as a convection-dominated magmatic play type. The heat source could be a magmatic intrusion located beneath a caldera. A shallow, liquid-dominated reservoir (with temperatures of 150–190 °C) and an intermediate-deep reservoir, hosting steam and liquid (with temperatures of 230–340 °C), were detected. The Kilambo-Ilwalilo play (Tanzania) is an example of geothermal play of the Western Branch of EARS. It is in a half-graben realm where a regional fault controls the ascending groundwater flow. Reservoir temperatures are about 110–140 °C, and the heat source is provided by lithosphere thinning. The results of this study provide helpful guidelines for future studies on the geothermal resources in the rift.

A joint analysis of surface air temperature series recorded at meteorological stations and temperature-depth profiles logged in nearby boreholes was performed to estimate conditions existing prior to the beginning of the instrumental record in central-northern Italy. The adopted method considers conductive and advective heat transport in a layered medium and provides simultaneous estimates of the pre-observational temperatures and the Darcy velocities. The reconstruction of the ground surface temperature history using a generalised least-squares inversion method was performed for boreholes where hydrological disturbances to measured temperature logs were proved negligible. Both methods revealed generally coherent climatic changes in the whole investigated area. Climatic conditions were generally warm and comparable with the reference period 1960–1990. The absence of the Little Ice Age seems to be a generic feature of the climate in central-northern Italy. Climate change of the 19th century was generally insignificant with well-balanced periods of cold and warmth. The investigated area became significantly colder only at the end of the 19th century. Cooling culminated around 1950 when it was replaced by rapid warming. Recent warming was not inferred only for one of the investigated holes.