Tropical Toon

Fossils dating back thousands of years have been discovered 660 m beneath Newcastle's streets, suggesting the climate on the banks of the Tyne was once very different.  A Newcastle University geology student, one of the researchers charged with determining the origins of the fossils, said:

"It is one of the most exciting things we've found.  These shells and corals suggest that Newcastle was once a tropical environment, like offshore Bahamas."

The fossils were discovered while a borehole was being drilled, which will allow extremely hot water to be pumped up to the surface.  This geothermal energy will then be used to heat buildings in the local area, helping them cut their CO2 emissions.  A professor from the university said this means hot water "could be available 24/7 because it doesn't depend on the weather".

In Iceland, 87% of the heat for properties and water comes from geothermal sources.