When was the coldest day ever recorded on Earth?
The Earth’s climate is a complex and dynamic system, with temperatures varying greatly across different regions and seasons. While some parts of the world experience scorching heat during the summer months, others are frozen in icy cold temperatures during the winter. But have you ever wondered what the coldest day ever recorded on Earth was? According to Guinness World Records, the answer lies in the frozen continent of Antarctica, specifically at Russia’s Vostok research station.
On July 21, 1983, during the southern hemisphere winter, temperatures at Vostok research station plummeted to a staggering -89.2°C. This temperature reading is not only the coldest ever recorded on Earth, but it’s also a whopping 54°C colder than the winter average at the station. To put that into perspective, the average winter temperature at Vostok is around -35°C, which is already extremely cold. But on that fateful day in 1983, the mercury dropped to a level that is almost unimaginable for most people.
So, why was Vostok research station chosen for this extreme temperature reading? The answer lies in its unique location and the scientific goals of the Soviet Union, which established the station in 1958. Vostok is situated in the center of the Antarctic Plateau, which is the highest and coldest region on the continent. The station was chosen for its extreme remoteness and accessibility, making it an ideal location for scientific research.
The Soviet Union’s primary goal in establishing Vostok research station was to drill deep into the ancient ice that covers the continent. By doing so, scientists aimed to unlock the secrets of the Earth’s climate history, which is preserved in the ice cores. The ice at Vostok is particularly valuable for climate research because it is estimated to be around 400,000 years old, providing a unique window into the Earth’s past.
The extreme cold at Vostok is due to its location in the polar desert, which is characterized by low humidity and limited precipitation. The station is also situated at an elevation of around 3,488 meters above sea level, which contributes to the extreme cold. The combination of these factors creates a unique environment that is perfect for scientific research, but also poses significant challenges for the scientists and support staff who live and work at the station.
The record-low temperature reading of -89.2°C on July 21, 1983, was recorded using a thermometer located about 2 meters above the surface of the ice. The reading was confirmed by multiple measurements and has been verified by Guinness World Records as the lowest temperature ever recorded on Earth.
It’s worth noting that satellite measurements have reported temperatures as low as -93.2°C in Antarctica, but these readings are not considered official records because they were not taken directly at the surface. However, they do provide further evidence of the extreme cold that exists in this region.
In conclusion, the coldest day ever recorded on Earth was July 21, 1983, when temperatures at Vostok research station in Antarctica dropped to a staggering -89.2°C. This extreme temperature reading is a testament to the unique and inhospitable environment of Antarctica, which is home to some of the most extreme weather conditions on the planet. The scientific research conducted at Vostok and other stations in Antarctica continues to provide valuable insights into the Earth’s climate history and helps us better understand the complex and dynamic system that is our planet’s climate.
News Source: https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/66137-lowest-temperature-recorded-on-earth
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