The Eastern Antarctic Plateau holds the title of the coldest place on Earth, with recorded air temperatures plummeting to approximately -94°C (-137.2°F). This frigid region, roughly the size of Australia, encompasses areas like Dome Argus and Dome Fuji.
Understanding Earth's Temperature Variations
Earth's temperature isn't uniform; it varies significantly across different locations and altitudes. Several factors contribute to these variations:
-
Altitude: The higher the altitude, the generally colder the temperature. This is because air density decreases with height, leading to less heat retention. The upper atmosphere, for example, is significantly cooler than the lower atmosphere. The Upper Atmosphere Is Cooling, Prompting New Climate ...
-
Latitude: Polar regions experience significantly lower temperatures than equatorial regions due to the angle of the sun's rays. The Earth's poles receive less direct sunlight, leading to colder temperatures.
-
Geographic Features: Mountains, oceans, and other geographical features influence local temperature patterns. For instance, the presence of large bodies of water can moderate temperatures, leading to less extreme variations. As the Earth Gets Hotter, Can Infrastructure Cool Cities? | World ...
-
Cloud Cover: Clouds play a crucial role in regulating Earth's temperature. During the day, clouds reflect sunlight, causing a cooling effect. However, at night, they trap heat, leading to a warming effect. Clouds & Radiation Fact Sheet How Do Clouds Affect Earth's Climate? | NASA Climate Kids
-
Geological Activity: The Earth's interior is incredibly hot, with temperatures reaching thousands of degrees Celsius in the core. However, this heat is largely contained within the Earth and doesn't directly affect the surface temperature in significant ways, except in areas of volcanic activity. What Is the Hottest Layer of Earth and Is the Core Cooling ... Magma's Role in the Rock Cycle
-
Ocean Currents: Ocean currents redistribute heat around the globe, influencing regional temperatures. Cold currents tend to cool coastal areas, while warm currents have the opposite effect. Ocean Oasis Teacher's Guide Activity 4
While the Eastern Antarctic Plateau represents the current record for the coldest location, it’s important to note that temperatures fluctuate over time due to various climate factors. Ice ages, for example, result in periods of significantly lower global temperatures and increased glacial coverage. What's the coldest the Earth's ever been? | NOAA Climate.gov
