Where is the coldest place on Earth?
Quick Answer
The coldest recorded natural temperatures on Earth occur on the high plateau of East Antarctica, where satellites have measured surface temperatures as low as around -98 degrees Celsius.
The Full Story
The coldest place on Earth is the high interior plateau of East Antarctica. The lowest air temperature ever directly recorded at ground level was about -89.2 degrees Celsius at the Soviet Vostok Station in July 1983. Even more extreme readings have come from satellites: in ridges near Dome Argus and Dome Fuji, surface temperatures have been measured plunging to around -98 degrees Celsius, close to the theoretical limit for how cold the surface can get. These frigid conditions arise from the region high altitude, near-permanent darkness in winter, extremely dry air, and clear skies that let heat radiate away into space. Antarctica is the coldest, driest, and windiest continent, and its interior is one of the most hostile environments on the planet.
Key Facts
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Suggested video title for this topic:
"The Coldest Place on Earth — Antarctica Frozen Heart"