The Eastern Antarctic Plateau, One Of The Coldest Places On Earth
Stephen Bannister/Wikimedia CommonsA combination of high elevation, clear skies, and extremely dry air contributes to the unfathomable cold of the Eastern Antarctic Plateau.
The Eastern Antarctic Plateau is a vast, desolate expanse near the South Pole where temperatures plunge to astonishing lows.
In fact, satellite data revealed that the plateau once experienced a record-breaking temperature of minus 144 degrees Fahrenheit — “about as low as it is possible to reach,” according to the authors of a 2018 study. However, because the data was recorded by a satellite and not a weather station on the surface of Antarctica, it isn’t the official coldest temperature on record.
Still, there’s no debate about the region’s icy conditions. Several factors contribute to these extreme temperatures. The plateau’s high elevation — about 9,800 feet above sea level — means the atmosphere is thinner and holds less heat. In addition, its location near the South Pole results in prolonged periods without sunlight during the winter, leading to continuous heat loss.
The clear, dry air prevalent in the region also allows heat to radiate away from the surface more efficiently, further cooling the environment to inhospitable levels.
The unique topography of the plateau plays a role as well. Cold, dense air tends to settle into slight depressions and hollows, creating pockets where temperatures can drop even further. These conditions are exacerbated during clear winter nights when the lack of cloud cover allows for maximum heat radiation into space.
In other words, if you’re planning to visit the Eastern Antarctic Plateau, pack many, many blankets.
