Over a century ago, a small town in Southern California measured the highest-ever recorded surface air temperature on Earth. The tiny desert outpost, aptly named Furnace Creek Ranch, remains in the record books to this day.
The unique geography of Death Valley traps heat in a way that few other places on Earth can match—and as rising global temps set new heat records across the world, this century-old statistic continues to stand.
The record-breaking event
The highest ever air temperature recorded at Earth’s surface was measured at 134.1°F (56.7°C) on July 10th, 1913, in Furnace Creek Ranch, Death Valley, California. The record has been recognized by the World Meteorological Organization and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
The 1913 record specifically refers to surface air temperature, as several locations have since seen even higher temperatures on the Earth’s surface itself. High-resolution satellite data have recorded readings of 177.4°F (80.8°C) in the Lut Desert in Iran and the Sonoran Desert along the US-Mexico border.
According to Guinness World Records, another high surface air temperature record was recorded as 136.4°F (58°C) in El Azizia, Libya, in 1922. However, the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) disqualified the record in 2012, returning the title to Death Valley.
Why is Death Valley so hot?
Death Valley’s geography and climate create a perfect combination of factors to trap heat. The valley floor sits at 282 feet below sea level, and when air sinks into the basin, it compresses and warms up. The surrounding mountains enclose the valley on all sides, trapping hot air and creating a type of natural oven.
With some of North America’s lowest rainfall numbers, Death Valley’s lack of moisture or plant cover means the sun heats bare rocks and soil directly, which then radiate the heat back into the air.
As such, Death Valley records some of the highest temperatures on Earth every summer, with highs frequently above 120°F (49°C).