The coolest part of Earth is the Vostok Station in Antarctica, with a record low temperature of -89.2°C (-128.6°F) recorded in 1983.
This remote research station sits atop a vast ice sheet, making it one of the most isolated and extreme environments on Earth. The frigid temperatures are caused by a combination of factors, including:
- High Altitude: Vostok Station is located at an elevation of 3,488 meters (11,447 feet) above sea level, where the air is thinner and holds less heat.
- Polar Location: Antarctica is located at the South Pole, where the sun's rays hit the surface at a very low angle, resulting in less solar radiation and colder temperatures.
- Clear Skies: The skies above Antarctica are often clear, allowing for more heat to escape into space.
- Ice Sheet: The vast ice sheet covering Antarctica acts as a giant refrigerator, reflecting sunlight and keeping the air cold.
While Vostok Station holds the record for the coldest temperature ever recorded on Earth, other regions in Antarctica, such as the South Pole, also experience extremely low temperatures.
