Coldest Place on Earth – Record -93.2°C in Antarctica
The coldest naturally occurring temperature ever recorded on Earth is −136°F (−93.2°C), detected on August 10, 2010, in a remote hollow on the East Antarctic Plateau near Dome Fuji. This measurement, captured by satellite instruments, surpassed the previous record of −128.6°F (−89.2°C) set at Russia’s Vostok Research Station in 1983.
Scientists at the National Snow and Ice Data Center identified these extreme temperatures through analysis of 32 years of satellite data. The record cold resides in small depressions measuring roughly 5 by 10 kilometers across the Antarctic ice sheet.
Understanding these temperature extremes requires distinguishing between surface measurements captured from space and air temperatures recorded at ground level. Both methods reveal the East Antarctic Plateau as the planet’s freezing pinnacle.
What Is the Coldest Place on Earth?
Key Findings
- Satellite detection revealed temperatures 4°C lower than the previous ground-based record.
- Dozens of pockets across the plateau reach −92°C to −94°C annually during winter nights.
- Topographic hollows measuring 2–4 meters deep trap dense cold air, creating these extremes.
- The 1983 Vostok record remained unchallenged for nearly three decades.
- Inhabited regions experience temperatures approximately 25°C warmer than these uninhabited extremes.
- 32 years of continuous monitoring confirmed the consistency of these ultra-cold pockets.
| Place | Temp (°C) | Measurement Type | Date | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dome Fuji region | −93.2 | Surface (Satellite) | 2010 | East Antarctic Plateau |
| Vostok Station | −89.2 | Air (Ground Station) | 1983 | East Antarctica |
| Greenland Ice Sheet summit | −75.0 | Surface | Not specified | Greenland |
| Northern Asia (remote) | −68.0 | Air | Not specified | Northern Asia |
| Oymyakon | −67.8 | Air (Inhabited) | 1933 | Siberia, Russia |
| Verkhoyansk | −67.8 | Air (Inhabited) | 1892 | Siberia, Russia |
| Alaska | −62.0 | Air | Not specified | Alaska, USA |
What Is the Lowest Temperature Ever Recorded on Earth?
The 2010 Satellite Discovery
On August 10, 2010, NASA satellites detected a temperature of −93.2°C (−136°F) in a shallow depression between Dome Argus and Dome Fuji. Researchers analyzed data from the MODIS sensor aboard NASA’s Aqua satellite and the TIRS sensor on Landsat 8 to identify this extreme.
These measurements revealed that temperatures in several pockets along the high ridge routinely dip below −92°C during clear winter nights. NASA’s scientific visualization team confirmed that these readings represent the coldest natural temperatures ever measured on the planet’s surface.
Ground-Based Records at Vostok
Prior to the satellite discovery, the Russian Vostok Research Station held the official record. On July 21, 1983, ground instruments measured −89.2°C (−128.6°F), a figure that stood uncontested for 27 years.
Satellite instruments measure surface skin temperature—the thermal emission from the ice itself—while weather stations record air temperature at standard height (typically 2 meters above ground). Surface temperatures can be significantly colder than air temperatures due to radiative cooling of the ice.
What Is the Coldest Inhabited Place on Earth?
Siberian Extremes
Northeastern Siberia hosts the coldest permanently inhabited settlements. The towns of Verkhoyansk and Oymyakon both recorded −67.8°C (−90°F)—Verkhoyansk in 1892 and Oymyakon in 1933. Despite these brutal conditions, indigenous populations and modern residents maintain year-round communities.
Continental Comparisons
While Antarctica dominates absolute records, inhabited continents experience less severe extremes. Alaska recorded −62°C, while northern Asia reached −68°C in remote uninhabited areas. These readings, while frigid, remain 25 degrees warmer than the Antarctic plateau’s deepest hollows.
Permanent human settlement requires infrastructure capable of withstanding temperatures no lower than approximately −70°C. The East Antarctic Plateau hollows remain 20 degrees below this threshold, rendering them uninhabitable even for research stations during winter months.
Understanding scale comparisons helps contextualize these measurements. For reference on measurement conversions, see 162 cm in Feet.
Has the Coldest Place on Earth Changed Recently?
The recognition of the coldest place shifted in 2013 when scientists published satellite findings from 2010. Previously, Vostok Station represented the definitive benchmark. The transition from ground-based to satellite-based detection methods revealed that multiple locations across the East Antarctic Plateau regularly achieve temperatures between −92°C and −94°C.
These cold pockets persist year after year. Data analysis indicates that dozens of these hollows reach similar minimum temperatures annually, suggesting a stable climatic pattern rather than anomalous weather events. The region’s consistently clear winter skies and 4,000-meter elevation combine to produce these predictable extremes.
Antarctic research bases in these ultra-cold regions generally remain unoccupied during winter months due to logistical impossibilities. This absence means ground-based verification of satellite readings cannot occur simultaneously with the temperature events, creating a reliance on remote sensing technology for these specific records. For more details on this record-breaking temperature, see Världsrekordet för kallaste platsen.
Timeline of Extreme Temperature Records
- : Verkhoyansk, Siberia records −67.8°C, establishing the inhabited world record.
- : Oymyakon, Siberia matches Verkhoyansk with −67.8°C.
- : Vostok Station measures −89.2°C, setting the ground-based world record.
- : NASA satellites detect −93.2°C on the East Antarctic Plateau.
- : NSIDC scientists publish analysis confirming the satellite record.
Verified Records vs. Satellite Detections
Established Information
- Vostok Station’s −89.2°C reading is certified by the World Meteorological Organization.
- Ground-based measurements follow standardized protocols for air temperature.
- Siberian towns hold verified records for inhabited locations.
- Measurement stations use calibrated thermometers at standardized heights.
Uncertain Elements
- Satellite surface temperatures are not yet fully integrated into official WMO record databases.
- Direct ground verification of the −93.2°C reading has not occurred due to inaccessibility.
- The precise depth and micro-topography of the coldest hollows require further field survey.
- Long-term climate trends affecting these specific pockets remain under observation.
Why Does Antarctica Reach Such Extreme Cold?
The East Antarctic Plateau achieves these temperatures through a combination of elevation, isolation, and atmospheric conditions. At 4,000 meters above sea level, the ice sheet sits high in the atmosphere where air pressure drops. During polar winter, the sun remains below the horizon for months, eliminating solar heating.
Clear skies allow infrared radiation to escape into space, cooling the surface intensely. Topographic hollows trap dense, cold air that becomes colder than the surrounding ice sheet. This combination creates thermal conditions found nowhere else on Earth.
Scientific Sources and Expert Confirmation
Scientists at the National Snow and Ice Data Center discovered that temperatures in several pockets along a high ridge running from Dome Argus to Dome Fuji can dip below −92°C on clear winter nights.
— National Snow and Ice Data Center Research Analysis
The record low of −136°F was identified through analysis of 32 years of satellite data from instruments including the MODIS sensor on NASA’s Aqua satellite.
— NASA Scientific Visualization Studio
These findings derive from peer-reviewed analysis of satellite imagery and ground station archives. The NSIDC verification process involved cross-referencing multiple sensor types across three decades of observation.
Key Takeaways on Earth’s Coldest Locations
The East Antarctic Plateau near Dome Fuji represents the coldest natural environment on Earth, with satellite measurements confirming −93.2°C in 2010. While uninhabited areas hold these extreme records, permanently inhabited towns in Siberia demonstrate human resilience at temperatures approaching −68°C. For perspective on how environmental data intersects with everyday metrics, consider reviewing current Average House Price UK trends, which similarly rely on precise measurement standards.
Frequently Asked Questions
How cold does it get in Antarctica?
Antarctica reaches −93.2°C in specific high-elevation hollows on the East Antarctic Plateau. Ground stations typically record maximum lows around −89°C.
What are the coldest places on Earth besides Antarctica?
Siberian towns Verkhoyansk and Oymyakon hold the inhabited record at −67.8°C. Greenland’s ice sheet summit reaches −75°C.
How do scientists measure temperatures in remote Antarctica?
Researchers use satellite-mounted infrared sensors like MODIS and TIRS to map surface temperatures across inaccessible regions.
Is Oymyakon colder than Antarctica?
No. Oymyakon’s record of −67.8°C is 25 degrees warmer than Antarctica’s extreme lows.
Can humans survive in the coldest places on Earth?
Humans survive in Siberian towns reaching −68°C with specialized infrastructure, but Antarctica’s −93°C regions remain uninhabitable.
What makes the East Antarctic Plateau so cold?
High elevation (4,000m), polar night duration, clear skies allowing heat escape, and topographic hollows trapping dense cold air.
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