Which is the Hottest Desert in the World?

Deserts can be classified as some of the harshest places on Earth, their high temperature, lack of moisture and minimal pecipitation make them harsh. Yet, many deserts that seem dead actually contain many unique ecosystems and ways of surviving. 

Scientists study deserts to learn more about global weather patterns, adaptation, and the natural limits of our planet. Deserts often cross international borders, vary greatly in terms of temperature, geography, and biodiversity. 

Some experience extremely high temperatures during the day while others have extremely low nighttime temperatures. 

For this reason, determining which desert is the 'most extreme' can vary depending on how it is measured; however, one desert holds the record for producing the hottest temperature ever recorded and for being the most inhospitable place on Earth.

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Which is the Hottest Desert in the World?

The Lut Desert (Dasht-e Lut) located in southeastern Asia, Iran is considered to be the hottest desert in the world because of the extreme land surface temperatures recorded to date from satellite images. 

High temperatures recorded and averaged by satellites at approximately 70.7 degrees Celsius or 159 degrees Fahrenheit are direct evidence of Lut's extreme temperature. The Gandom Beryan area of Lut is where extreme heat zones are located around the planet and that Gandom Beryan has dark volcanic rock formations that absorb tremendous amounts of the sun's energy and surrounding mountains trap hot air.

Throughout the Lut the presence of heat is found at both the air and ground surface levels, rather than just being found only at the air surface level making scientists' determination that the Lut Desert (Dasht-e Lut) is the hottest desert on the planet consistent with documented records like satellite image records with the statement that the Lut Desert is the hottest desert is accurate.

Interesting Facts About Lut Desert

1. Record-breaking Surface Heat 

The Lut Desert has experienced extreme land surface temperatures near 70 degrees Celsius. These temperature readings were taken from satellites; there are, however, no ground-based weather stations to measure the air temperature; therefore the temperatures listed are not an exact measurement but represent a temperature that could be found in places like Gandom Beryan in the Lut Desert.

2. Gandom Beryan Region 

The Gandom Beryan in the Lut Desert is believed to be one of the hottest places on Earth. The large amounts of black volcanic lava rock present in this area allows for the absorption and storage of solar energy, causing high temperature readings in Gandom Beryan. This study has used the Gandom Beryan region as an example of a natural "heat trap" environment for scientific purposes.

4. Incredibly Arid Environment

The Lut Desert is among the least moist on Planet Earth. Some portions do not receive any rainfall for years at a time. Due to being in a rain shadow area, all the moist air surrounding this desert is held in dry spaces by mountains.

5. UNESCO Heritage Site

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) classifies the Lut Desert as a World Heritage site because of its unique geological features and the extreme desert environment. 

As a natural laboratory for researchers, the Lut Desert attracts interest from scientists conducting research into planet Earth's extreme climates, desert formation, and long term geological processes.