When we’re stuck in traffic on the streets of Los Angeles during hot daylight, we might feel like we’re in the hottest place in the world. But, have we ever wondered, where is currently the hottest place on earth?
The answer is not Death Valley, the Sahara Desert, or even Ouargla, Algeria. The hottest place record on earth was broken by the Dasht-e Lut or the Lut Desert in Iran.
It is said to be the hottest, not animals and plants, not even bacteria can survive there. In fact, in the summer of 2005, the surface of the LUT Desert reached the highest temperature scientifically ever recorded, 70.7 Celsius! At the same temperature, we can also fry a grain of sunny-side-up egg.
What Are The Factors?
Several main factors make the Lut Desert very hot. First, the rainfall and number of plants in the Lut Desert are minimal, resulting in unusually dry conditions. Secondly, the Lut Desert has a rocky surface, so the heat of the sun is very absorbable but very little is reflected. This is supported by a third factor, which is the color of the soil. The darker the color of the surface of the ground, the hotter the temperature.
Then, how can the temperature of the earth be measured precisely? Researchers are using a device called MODIS, which is placed on NASA’s satellite, to accurately map the temperature of the entire surface of the Earth through infrared imagery. Including places that humans find difficult to reach because of their extreme temperatures, such as the LUT Desert.
However, due to the influence of many factors, the temperature in the Lut Desert can still be changed, although not too drastically. So, the Lut Desert will not be the hottest place on earth forever. Who knows, Ouargla still has a chance to hold the title… maybe a few centuries ahead.
For this reason, we need to stay up to date and not be complacent in seeking information. Whether you realize it or not, change will continue to happen all the time. Wow! Unbelievable! Thank you.
