The coldest zone on Earth is the polar zone, which encompasses the Arctic and Antarctic regions.
These regions are characterized by extremely low temperatures, with average temperatures below freezing for most of the year. The polar zones experience long periods of darkness during the winter months, leading to very low solar radiation and further contributing to the cold.
The Arctic is located at the North Pole, while the Antarctic is located at the South Pole. Both regions are covered in ice and snow for most of the year.
The coldest recorded temperature on Earth was -89.2 °C (-128.6 °F), measured at the Vostok Station in Antarctica on July 21, 1983.
There are several factors that contribute to the extreme cold in the polar zones, including:
- Low solar radiation: The polar zones receive less sunlight than other parts of the world due to their high latitude.
- Ice and snow cover: The reflective surface of ice and snow reflects sunlight back into the atmosphere, further reducing the amount of heat absorbed.
- Cold air masses: Cold air masses from the polar regions can move southwards, bringing cold temperatures to other parts of the world.
Understanding the characteristics of the polar zones is crucial for studying climate change and its impact on the planet.
