The temperatures of the coldest place on the planet are even lower than we thought – News

Antarctic potholes helped scientists discover that the temperature in the area is five degrees lower than the one they identified in 2013

Holes in the Antarctic Ice Sheet helped scientists discover that the temperature in the area was five degrees lower than the one they had identified in 2013.

The place most cold of the Earth's surface has set its own record. 19659004] The small valleys in the Antarctic Ice Sheet recorded temperatures of -98 ° C, five degrees lower than previously estimated, according to a study published in the journal Geophysical Research Letters

The site with the lowest temperatures of the Earth was discovered in 2013 by scientists, thanks to the launch of several satellites of observation.

The area covers several points on the eastern Antarctic Plateau, a region of abundant snow where the South Pole is also located and where temperatures of -93 ° C were initially recorded.

Now researchers have used new data to conclude that temperatures are

In the previous study, experts explain the conditions necessary for temperatures to reach the lowest temperatures observed during the night of the South Pole, mainly in July and August.

They concluded that light winds and clear skies are not the only key factors. Extremely dry winds, which remain constant for several days, also play a crucial role.

To arrive at the new findings, scientists observed small depressions or shallow holes in the Antarctic ice cap, where fresh, dense, and downward air that accumulates and can remain for several days

That makes it cool again plus the surface and air above, until clear, calm and dry conditions end and the air mixes with warmer air in the atmosphere. "

" In this area we see periods of extremely dry air, which allows the heat of the snow surface to radiate more easily into space, "said Ted Scambos, lead author of the study. [-19459011]