Variety of the volcanic exhalations in the Larderello district, Italy and their use in the form of a unique geothermal energetic system and geotourist attractions of the region

The article presents the use of the volcanic exhalations of Larderello geothermal field (Italy, southern Tuscany, Pisa province) for the construction of a large-scale heating system using geothermal heat of the Earth and make them available to visitors in the form of geotourist attractions (‘Parco Geotermico Delle Biancane’ with geotourist routes, e.g. ‘La Fumarole’). The history of the use of inexhaustible energy resources contained in the interior of the Earth dates back to 1850, when in Larderello a heating plant for several houses was built, and in 1904 in this village for the first time in the world the geothermal energy for the production of electricity was used. Currently, 10% of the world's electricity production using geothermal energy is generated in Larderello. The geological structure of the Larderello-Travale region, the types of volcanic exhalations occurring in the discussed area and the history of the first geothermal power plant were presented. Selected geotourist attractions in the area of Monterotondo Marritimo-Sasso Pisano were characterized as examples of the use of geothermal phenomena (including fumaroles, bulicames, mofettes, solfataras) for educational and tourist purposes.