Earth and Space Sciences Regents, June 2026, question 26
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What the figure shows
The model, Model of Geothermal Power Plant with Mitigation Components, has two panels. Natural Conditions shows a volcano releasing SO2 (sulfur dioxide), CO2 (carbon dioxide), H2O (water vapor) and N2 (nitrogen) from the lithosphere into the atmosphere. Engineered Conditions shows four numbered steps: (1) capture CO2 in geothermal fluid below Earth's surface; (2) remove captured geothermal fluid to produce electricity and hot water; (3) inject unused CO2 into the ground; (4) two years later, CO2 reacts to form minerals (calcite) within basalt. The answer choices are four rows of a table: row 1 gives energy flow out step 3 and mitigation step 2; row 2 gives 4 and 1; row 3 gives 1 and 4; row 4 gives 2 and 3.
How to think about it
Read the four steps one at a time and follow both energy and carbon through all four. For each step, ask what it moves and where it moves it from and to. Then sort the steps by what they move. A row is right only if both of its entries fit.
Based on the Model of Geothermal Power Plant with Mitigation Components, which row in the table correctly identifies the step during which energy flows out of an Earth system and a step that mitigates climate change? Row Step of Energy Flow Out Mitigation Step