Highest and lowest Temperatures Recorded on Earth
Did you ever imagine how high the temperature on Earth can rise or fall and where? If not, then think again because the answer to this question may startle you to the core..!!
According to World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the highest recorded air temperature on Earth conforming to the standard measuring conditions** was 56.7 °C (134.1 °F) in Furnace Creek Ranch, California, located in the Death Valley desert in the United States, on July 10, 1913.
Temperatures measured directly on the ground exceeds air temperature by around 30 to 50 °C. Coincidentally, the highest natural ground surface temperature ever recorded (93.9 °C) was also in Furnace Creek Ranch on 15 July 1972.
The reason behind such soaring temperature is attributable to the region’s topography. The Death Valley region is located approximately 190 ft. below sea level and is surrounded by high desert mountains. As the air lowers down the mountains, it compresses, starts losing moisture and eventually gets warmer and is trapped down in the valley, thereby making this region extremely hot than the surrounding areas. The region also happens to receive very deficit rainfall (approximately 3 inches every year).
On the contrary the lowest temperature ever recorded is −89.2 °C (−128.6 °F; 184.0 K) at the Soviet Vostok Station in Antarctica on July 21, 1983 by ground measurements.
Even though a surface temperature of −93.2 °C (81.8°S 59.3°E) have been observed along a ridge between Dome Argus and Dome Fuji but the value may not be listed as these recordings have been made via remote sensing satellites and not by ground based thermometers as was the case with the Soviet Vostok Station. Also such temperature reflected that of the ice surface while the Vostok readings measured the air above the ice.
**Note: The standard conditions for measuring temperature are in the air, 1.5 meters above the ground and shielded from direct sunlight.
Post Written By - Manash Hazarika
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