Yet the only way they can be sure there is a geothermal resource is by drilling wells to measure underground temperatures. The earth is a hotbed of geothermal energy. The most active geothermal resources are usually found along major plate boundaries where earthquakes and volcanoes are concentrated. Most of the geothermal activity in the world occurs in an area known as the "Ring of Fire." The Ring of Fire rims the Pacific Ocean and is bounded by Japan, the Philippines, the Aleutian Islands, North America, Central America, and South America. Geothermal energy is put to work in many places around the world. The best-known geothermal energy sources in the United States are located in the western states and Hawaii. Some moderately hot geothermal resources also exist in the Dakotas, along the Atlantic coast, and in Arkansas and Texas. Most geothermal energy is produced in four states--California, Nevada, Utah, and Hawaii. Today the total installed capacity of geothermal power plants in the United State is 3,200 megawatts (MW) That's the energy equivalent of three nuclear power plants. American geothermal power plants range in size from a few hundred kilowatts to more than 130 megawatts. In 1994, geothermal energy produced 18 billion kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity, or 0.3 percent of the electricity used in the United States of America still, this was enough to serve the electrical energy needs of over three million households. California gets six percent of its electricity from geothermal energy, more than any other state. Greenhouse operators are taking advantage of geothermal energy as well, many of which are several acres in size and producing vegetables, flowers, houseplants, and tree seedlings. Operators of fish farms are profiting from the lower energy costs and improved fish growth rates that geothermal energy delivers. Other industrial and commercial applications that match well with geothermal direct use include food dehydration, laundries, gold processing, milk pasteurising, and swimming pools and spas.