Extreme Climates 3: Hottest Place

Dallol Depression, Africa

Death Valley, California

There is a lot of debate about the hottest place on earth. Some people think their bedroom is the hottest place to be while others name a few hot hangouts. Weather wise, the hottest places on earth are the Dallol Depression in Ethiopia and Death Valley in California.

Dallol Depression

The Dallol Depression, also called Danakil Depression, is a desert with some areas that are more than 100 meters (328 feet) below sea level. This is special because it is one of the lowest points on earth not covered by water. There are hot yellow sulfur fields among the sparkling white salt beds. Heat isn't the only thing people feel in the Dallol Depression. Alarming earth tremors are frequently felt. There are also several active volcanoes. So just how hot is it at the Dallol Depression? Temperatures can reach as high as 145 degrees Fahrenheit (63 degrees Celsius) in the sun.

Death Valley

If Death Valley isn't the hottest place on earth then it certainly is a close second. When you travel the miles of sand dunes you'll think you're in the Sahara Desert. That is, until you get to the Devil's Golf Course, a salt lake that is so jagged and rough that only the Devil himself could play there. Return of the Jedi and other movies were partially filmed in this giant sand sauna. Probably because the land looks like something from another planet - sand dunes, mountains, volcanic rock, lots of multi-colored rocks and vistas that go on for hundreds of miles. Death Valley is huge. Temperatures have reached as high as 120 degrees Fahrenheit (49 degrees Celsius) in the past. Death Valley is a big tourist attraction but don't forget to bring your water. Apparently local park rangers are sick of tourists who don't bring enough water so they're leaving them to the vultures.

Mad Scientist's Top Five Sites for More Info:
www.eriemb.se/tourismb.htm - for the tourist who wants more information on the Danakil Depression in Africa.
www.to-scorpio.com/earth0071b.htm - a small write up about the Danakil Depression and it's volcanoes.
www.gplphotography.com/Death%20Valley.htm - breath taking pictures of Death Valley.
www.aqd.nps.gov/grd/usgsnps/deva/gallery.html - more fantastic pictures of Death Valley.
http://www.americanwest.com/deathvalley/ - a brief history of Death Valley and some pictures.