Highest temperature recorded on Earth
The quest to identify the highest temperature ever recorded on Earth is surprisingly complex, entangled in scientific debate, historical records, and the very nature of measurement itself. It's not just about a number; it's a fascinating story of precision, skepticism, and the incredible extremes our planet can reach. Join us as we explore the hottest spots on Earth and the ongoing controversies surrounding their scorching claims. Official temperature records are strictly defined by air measurements taken under specific conditions to ensure accuracy and comparability. Past records, even those held for decades, can be decertified years later due to new investigations revealing errors or anomalies. Ground and satellite temperature readings can far exceed air temperatures, highlighting different facets of our planet's extreme heat.
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The quest to identify the highest temperature ever recorded on Earth is surprisingly complex, entangled in scientific debate, historical records, and the very nature of measurement itself. It's not just about a number; it's a fascinating story of precision, skepticism, and the incredible extremes our planet can reach. Join us as we explore the hottest spots on Earth and the ongoing controversies surrounding their scorching claims.
- Official temperature records are strictly defined by air measurements taken under specific conditions to ensure accuracy and comparability.
- Past records, even those held for decades, can be decertified years later due to new investigations revealing errors or anomalies.
- Ground and satellite temperature readings can far exceed air temperatures, highlighting different facets of our planet's extreme heat.
The Hottest Spot: A Global Challenge
When we talk about the 'highest temperature recorded on Earth,' it's not as simple as pointing to a single thermometer. Scientists measure heat in three main ways: in the air, directly on the ground, and from space via satellite. But only one of these methods is recognized for official world records.
The World Meteorological Organization, or WMO, along with Guinness World Records, agrees: air temperature measurements are the gold standard. This is because ground and satellite readings often present inconsistencies or capture different phenomena, making direct comparison difficult.
The Reigning Champion
So, what's the official record? It stands at a blistering 56.7 degrees Celsius — that's 134.1 degrees Fahrenheit. This scorching figure was recorded on July 10, 1913, at Furnace Creek Ranch in California's infamous Death Valley, USA.
Death Valley lives up to its name, frequently reaching extreme temperatures. If you've ever felt the desert sun, imagine this: the air itself, measured almost 1.5 meters (5 feet) above the ground and shielded from direct sunlight, hit this staggering high over a century ago.
A Record Overturned
For decades, the record actually belonged to another location. On September 13, 1922, 'Aziziya, Libya, reported an even higher temperature of 57.8 degrees Celsius (136.0 degrees Fahrenheit). This held the top spot for ninety years, a symbol of Earth's relentless heat.
However, in 2012, an extensive WMO investigation concluded that the Libyan record was invalid. The primary culprit? An inexperienced observer likely misread a new, unfamiliar instrument. This decertification sent shockwaves through the meteorological community, highlighting the importance of rigorous verification.
The Lingering Doubt
The decertification of the Libyan record inevitably cast a shadow over the now-reinstated 1913 Death Valley record. Meteorological experts, including Dr. Arnold Court as early as 1949, have raised concerns about irregularities, suggesting the presence of a sandstorm might have skewed the reading.
Modern weather historians echo this skepticism, with some claiming the 1913 reading might be several degrees too high. Despite these persistent doubts, the WMO maintains its official stance: the Death Valley record remains valid until new, definitive evidence warrants another investigation.
If the 1913 record were ever decertified, the new official high would be a tie at 54.0 degrees Celsius (129.2 degrees Fahrenheit). This temperature was recorded both at Furnace Creek in 2013 and in Mitribah, Kuwait, in 2016. Other higher readings are still awaiting validation.
Ground Zero: When Earth Itself Sizzles
While air temperature is the official measure, the ground itself can reach far more extreme levels. Direct ground temperatures can easily exceed air temperatures by 30 to 50 degrees Celsius, especially in dry, dark soils with low thermal conductivity.
Imagine touching the surface of the Earth in these conditions! Scientists estimate the theoretical maximum ground surface temperature could be between 90 and 100 degrees Celsius (194-212 degrees Fahrenheit). That's hot enough to boil water!
Though unverified, one notable ground temperature claim comes from—you guessed it—Furnace Creek Ranch. On July 15, 1972, a staggering 93.9 degrees Celsius (201.0 degrees Fahrenheit) was allegedly recorded there. Such claims highlight the profound difference between air and surface heat.
Eyes in the Sky: Satellite Perspectives
Satellites offer another fascinating way to measure Earth's temperatures, providing a broad view of surface heat across vast regions. Equipped with instruments like infrared spectroradiometers, they can detect incredibly hot areas that might otherwise go unnoticed.
Between 2003 and 2009, NASA's Aqua satellite, using its MODIS instrument, identified the Lut Desert in Iran as a consistent hotspot. In 2005, it recorded a maximum land surface temperature of 70.7 degrees Celsius (159.3 degrees Fahrenheit) there, an astonishing figure.
In fact, the Lut Desert recorded the highest temperatures in five out of those seven years. More recently, in May 2021, case studies reported satellite readings of 80.8 degrees Celsius (177.4 degrees Fahrenheit) in both the Lut Desert and the Sonoran Desert in Mexico.
However, satellite measurements are complex. They capture an average temperature over a larger region, not a pinpoint maximum, and can be affected by factors like atmospheric friction. This makes them less reliable for official point-source records compared to ground-based thermometers.
Tales of Unverified Extremes
Beyond the official and satellite records, there's a fascinating collection of unverified claims — some historical, some modern. These often stem from equipment limitations of the past, or, more recently, from amateur social media reports that later prove to be false.
One phenomenon linked to many extreme unverified claims is the 'heat burst.' This rare atmospheric event involves a sudden, localized increase in air temperature near the surface, often associated with dissipating thunderstorms. These bursts can cause rapid, dramatic temperature spikes.
For instance, an alleged 70 degrees Celsius (158 degrees Fahrenheit) was reported in Figueira da Foz, Portugal, in 1949, supposedly jumping from 38 degrees in just two minutes due to a heat burst. These stories, while often unconfirmable, paint a vivid picture of Earth's most intense heat events.
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Highest temperature recorded on Earth
Extreme heat warning sign in Death Valley, California, USA
The highest temperature recorded on Earth has been measured in three major ways: air, ground, and via satellite observation. Air measurements are used as the standard measurement due to persistent issues with unreliable ground and satellite readings. Air measurements are noted by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and Guinness World Records among others as the standard to be used for determining the official record. The current official highest registered air temperature on Earth is 56.7 °C (134 °F), recorded on 10 July 1913 at Furnace Creek Ranch, in Death Valley, Eastern California in the United States.
For a few years, a former record that was measured in Libya had been in place, until it was decertified in 2012 based on evidence that the data provided was inaccurate. This finding has since raised questions about the legitimacy of the 1913 record measured in Death Valley, with several meteorological experts asserting that there were similar irregularities. The WMO has stood by the record as official pending any future investigative results. If the current record were to be decertified then the holder would be a tie at 54.0 °C (129.2 °F), recorded at Furnace Creek (2013), Kuwait (2016) and Mandatory Palestine (1942).
History
Highest temperature recorded on Earth
Temperatures often top 49 °C (120 °F) at Death Valley during the summer months.
The standard measuring conditions for temperature are in the air, 1.5 metres (4 ft 11 in) above the ground, and shielded from direct sunlight. Global surface temperatures as a whole have been monitored since the 1880s when record keeping began. According to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the highest registered air temperature on Earth was 56.7 °C (134 °F) in Furnace Creek Ranch, California, located in Death Valley in the United States, on 10 July 1913. This record was surpassed by a reading of 57.8 °C (136.0 °F), registered on 13 September 1922, in ʽAziziya, Libya. Ninety years later, this record was decertified, making the former reading in Death Valley the world's highest official temperature again. The decertification of the former record in Libya has since cast doubt on the validity of the 1913 recording.
If the 1913 record were to be decertified, the highest established recorded air temperature on Earth would be 54.0 °C (129.2 °F), also recorded in Death Valley on 20 June 2013, in Mitribah, Kuwait on 21 July 2016 and in Tirat Zvi, Israel on 21 July 1942. There have since been higher readings of 54.4 °C (129.9 °F) in August 2020 and July 2021, both at Furnace Creek, that are pending validation.
Measurements have also been taken in two other ways via ground and satellite readings. Temperatures measured directly on the ground may exceed air temperatures by 30 to 50 °C (54 to 90 °F). The theoretical maximum possible ground surface temperature has been estimated to be between 90 and 100 °C (194 and 212 °F) for dry, darkish soils of low thermal conductivity. While there is no highest confirmed ground temperature, a reading of 93.9 °C (201.0 °F) – the highest ever among unverified claims – was allegedly recorded in Furnace Creek Ranch on 15 July 1972. Temperature measurements via satellite also tend to capture the occurrence of higher records but, due to complications involving the satellite's altitude loss (a side effect of atmospheric friction), these measurements are often considered less reliable than ground-positioned thermometers. Satellite measurements of ground temperature taken between 2003 and 2009, taken with the MODIS infrared spectroradiometer on the Aqua satellite, found a maximum temperature of 70.7 °C (159.3 °F), which was recorded in 2005 in the Lut Desert, Iran. The Lut Desert was also found to have the highest maximum temperature in 5 of the 7 years measured (2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2009). These measurements reflect averages over a large region and so are lower than the maximum point surface temperature.
Issues
Highest temperature recorded on Earth
In the early 21st century, prior recordings for the highest temperature on Earth were investigated as probable misreadings. From 1922 until 2012, the WMO record for the highest official temperature on Earth was 57.8 °C (136.0 °F), registered on 13 September 1922, in ʽAziziya, Libya. This record was decertified by the WMO in January 2012 after investigation concluded that an inexperienced observer probably misread a new instrument that they had not been trained to interpret. The decertification of this former record led researchers to also investigate the former and current recordings made in Death Valley in 1913. One of the earliest objections came in 1949 by Dr. Arnold Court, who concluded that the temperature may have been the result of a sandstorm that occurred at the time. Court stated that "such a storm may have caused superheated surface materials to hit upon the temperature in the shelter." Modern weather historians such as Christopher C. Burt and William Taylor Reid have also claimed that the 1913 Death Valley reading is "a myth", and is at least 2.2 to 2.8 °C (4 to 5 °F) too high. The WMO has come out in support of the current record stating that "We accept that Death Valley temperature extreme record. If any new materials on it surface, we will be prepared to open an investigation, but at this time all available evidence points to its legitimacy."
Unverified claims
Highest temperature recorded on Earth
The following are unverified claims of extreme heat over the current world record of 56.7 °C (134.1 °F). These include historical claims that were never authenticated due to the equipment available at the time and unverified scientific claims. Amateur readings have also been done through social media that claimed occurrences of extreme temperatures which were later discredited. Videos were posted in one instance that allegedly showed street lights melting or trees bursting into flames. These were later disproven by meteorologists who tied the "evidence" to other unrelated prior events that had taken place. All of the recordings listed before 1972 were allegedly caused by a sudden localized increase in air temperature near the surface, known as a heat burst.
<table><thead><tr><th>Date</th><th>Temperature °C/°F</th><th>Type</th><th>Location</th><th>Description</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>11 July 1909</td><td>57.8 °C (136 °F)</td><td>Air</td><td>Cherokee, Oklahoma (United States)</td><td>This incident was recorded at 3:00 am (CT), and reportedly caused crops to desiccate in the area.</td></tr><tr><td>6 July 1949</td><td>70 °C (158 °F)</td><td>Air</td><td>Figueira da Foz, Coimbra (Portugal)</td><td>Within two minutes, a heat burst reportedly drove the air temperature from 38 °C (100 °F) to 70 °C (158 °F).</td></tr><tr><td>15 June 1960</td><td>60 °C (140 °F)</td><td>Air</td><td>Kopperl, Texas (United States)</td><td>A heat burst is claimed to have sent the air temperature to near 140 °F (60 °C), supposedly causing cotton crops to become desiccated and drying out vegetation. While it is possible the reading may have exceeded 100 °F (38 °C), the thermometers designed to detect temperatures up to 140 °F (60 °C) broke.</td></tr><tr><td>6 July 1966</td><td>58.5 °C (137.3 °F)</td><td>Air</td><td>San Luis RC, Sonora (Mexico)</td><td>Mexican news agencies according to state archives.</td></tr><tr><td>6 July 1966</td><td>60 °C (140.0 °F)</td><td>Air</td><td>Mexicali, BC (Mexico)</td><td>An archived note from the Baja California State Meteorologic Agency claims a temperature of 58.5 °C. was recorded at San Luis, Sonora by a local meteorological agency (entry above). During the same day, another measurement was taken in the "El riito" community in Mexicali. This measurement was never completed as the reading stopped at 60 °C due to limitations of the thermometer used.</td></tr><tr><td>June 1967</td><td>86.7 °C (188.1 °F)</td><td>Unknown</td><td>Abadan (Iran)</td><td>An alleged temperature of 86.7 °C (188.1 °F) was recorded during a heat burst in Abadan, Iran.</td></tr><tr><td>15 July 1972</td><td>93.9 °C (201.0 °F)</td><td>Ground</td><td>Oasis at Death Valley (United States)</td><td>See "History" section above.</td></tr><tr><td>2005</td><td>70.7 °C (159.3 °F)</td><td>Satellite</td><td>Dasht-e Lut (Iran)</td><td>See "History" section above.</td></tr><tr><td>2008</td><td>66.8 °C (152.2 °F)</td><td>Satellite</td><td>Flaming Mountains (China)</td><td>This reading was measured in the Flaming Mountains of China in 2008.</td></tr><tr><td>2011</td><td>84 °C (183 °F)</td><td>Ground</td><td>Port Sudan (Sudan)</td><td>A ground temperature of 84 °C (183 °F) was reportedly taken in Port Sudan, Sudan.</td></tr><tr><td>22 January 2017</td><td>57.2 °C (135.0 °F)</td><td>Air</td><td>Beverly Hills, California United States</td><td>According to the Los Angeles Almanac, 57.2 °C (135.0 °F) was the hottest temperature historically recorded among 20 Los Angeles County weather stations. However, a UCLA weather station less than three miles away recorded nothing close to this extreme claim. The Los Angeles Almanac has since stated "we offer no grounds for challenging these records."</td></tr><tr><td>May 2021</td><td>80.8 °C (177.4 °F)</td><td>Satellite</td><td>Dasht-e Lut, (Iran) & Sonoran Desert, (Mexico)</td><td>Case studies published in May 2021 by the Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society.</td></tr></tbody></table>