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.

The compilation of global heat-flow data is currently under major revision by the International Heat Flow Commission (IHFC) of the International Association of Seismology and Physics of the Earth's Interior (IASPEI). Heat flow represents a fundamental parameter in thermal studies, e.g., the evolution of hydrocarbons or mineral and geothermal resources. Comparable, comprehensible and reliable heat-flow data are of utmost interest also for geophysical and geological studies on the global scale. Here, we present the first results of a stepwise revision of the IHFC Global Heat Flow Database based on a researcher driven, collaborative approach. The first step comprises the review and revision of the most recent database structure established in 1976. The revised structure of the Global Heat Flow Database considers the demands and opportunities presented by the evolution of scientific work, digitization and the breakthroughs in database technologies over the past decades.  Based on the new structure, the existing dataset will be re-assessed and new data incorporated. By supporting the ideas of FAIR and open data principles, the new database facilitates interoperability with external data services, like DOI and IGSN numbers, and other data resources (e.g., world geological map, world stratigraphic system, and International Ocean Drilling Program data). We give an overview of the new database and introduce the community workflow of global heat-flow data revision.