<p>The <a href="http://www.geologypage.com/2013/10/hadean-eon.html" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Hadean era</a> covers the time from the formation of the Earth until 4bn years ago. It was characterized by a surface of molten rock, due to repeated meteor strikes, volcanism and radioactive decay.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>&quot;Liquid water oceans existed despite the surface temperature of 230 °C
(446 °F) because of the atmospheric pressure of the heavy carbon
dioxide atmosphere.&quot;</p>
<p>Source: <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Origin_of_water_on_Earth" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Wikipedia, &quot;Origin of water&quot;</a> (*Study from Sleep et al,2001)</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Whether this counts as &quot;recorded&quot; is another matter. No-one measured it with a thermometer, but it can be modelled using palaeo-climatology principles.</p>
<hr />
<p><strong>N. H. Sleep; K. Zahnle &amp; P. S. Neuhoff.</strong> &quot;<em>Inaugural Article: Initiation of clement surface conditions on the earliest Earth&quot;</em> Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, <strong>Mar 2001</strong>, 98 (7) 3666-3672; DOI: 10.1073/pnas.071045698  <a href="https://www.pnas.org/content/98/7/3666.short" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Published in PNAS</a></p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-01-04T12:20:09.793Z
This is not a useful interpretation of *highest temperature recorded*.  There's higher temperatures measured at the surface of the Earth during volcanic eruptions and forest fires.  Those are not usually accepted as temperature extremes when discussing the weather.  And certainly, the estimated temperatures during the Hadean era are coming from models and not measurements.
gerrit
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-01-04T21:51:58.187Z
@gerrit I'm simply claiming that the climate in the Hadean was hotter than at present, because the OP mentions examples of climate, not individual events. But thank you for confirming that no-one was around to measure Hadean temperatures.
Boodysaspie
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-01-03T13:50:17.027Z
2019-01-05T12:13:04.787Z
2020-06-18T08:25:19.090Z
Boodysaspie
<p>Note that in addition to Camilo's answer, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Highest_temperature_recorded_on_Earth#:%7E:text=Satellite%20measurements%20of%20ground%20temperature,in%20the%20Lut%20Desert%2C%20Iran." rel="nofollow noreferrer">Wikipedia links</a> to <a href="https://journals.ametsoc.org/view/journals/bams/92/7/2011bams3067_1.xml" rel="nofollow noreferrer">a peer reviewed BAMS article</a> noting that:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Satellite measurements of ground temperature taken between 2003 and
2009, taken with the MODIS infrared spectroradiometer on the Aqua
satellite, found a maximum temperature of <strong>70.7 °C (159.3 °F)</strong>, which
was recorded <strong>in 2005 in the Lut Desert, Iran</strong>. The Lut Desert was also
found to have the highest maximum temperature in 5 of the 7 years
measured (2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2009). These measurements
reflect averages over a large region and so are lower than the maximum
point surface temperature</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Indeed we only have observation stations at very limited desert locations, as we tend to put them where power and human resources (for repairs and such) are available.  So the most remote locations like in the heart of the Sahara don't have a lot of measurements.  <a href="https://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/international/gts1/gts_africa_tmax_1d.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer">See this map of today's observations</a> for example (<a href="https://i.sstatic.net/5QjlB.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer">here's an archived image from 11/20/21</a> in case the link rots)  So satellite data, while perhaps not absolutely positively perfectly equatable, gives a better idea of what and where the true maximum temperatures on Earth are.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2021-11-20T11:46:43.390Z
2021-11-22T08:00:13.183Z
2021-11-22T08:00:13.183Z
JeopardyTempest
<p>The record the article is referring about seems to be the same as registered at <a href="http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/highest-recorded-temperature" rel="noreferrer">Guiness World Records</a>:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>On 13 September 2012 the World Meteorological Organisation
  disqualified the record for the highest recorded temperature, exactly
  90 years after it had been established at El Azizia, Libya, with a
  measurement of 58°C. The official highest recorded temperature is now
  <strong>56.7°C</strong> (134°F), which was measured on 10 July 1913 at Greenland Ranch, Death Valley, California, USA.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>Those records are usually well researched, and in this case it matches what is reported by the <a href="https://public.wmo.int/en" rel="noreferrer">WMO</a>. Since 2007, the WMO Commission for Climatology (CCl) has maintained the <a href="https://wmo.asu.edu/content/world-meteorological-organization-global-weather-climate-extremes-archive" rel="noreferrer">Archive of World Weather and Climate Extremes</a>. In that archive, the same record is reported as the current highest temperature ever recorded:</p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/jkOX3.png" rel="noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/jkOX3.png" alt="enter image description here"></a></p>

<p>More details about the record are described <a href="https://wmo.asu.edu/content/world-highest-temperature" rel="noreferrer">here</a>.
The official WMO press release about the invalidation of the 1922 El Azizia record can be found <a href="https://public.wmo.int/en/media/news/wmo-ninety-year-old-world-temperature-record-el-azizia-libya-invalid" rel="noreferrer">here</a>.</p>

<p>It is surprising however, that with most the hottest years on record happening in the last few decades, the maximum recorded temperature is still from 1913.</p>

<p>Some people have questioned the reliability of those old measurements. More recent and much more reliable measurements seem to top-up at about 54.0°C as pointed out by a <a href="https://www.wunderground.com/blog/weatherhistorian/hottest-reliably-measured-air-temperatures-on-earth.html" rel="noreferrer">very interesting article</a> brought up by @Plutor in the comments.</p>

<p>Note that you are mixing temperature and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heat_index" rel="noreferrer">heat index</a> in your question. Make sure you understand the difference.</p>

<p>PS: "Greenland" Ranch... a rather sarcastic name for such a place.</p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/3f9i5.png" rel="noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/3f9i5.png" alt="enter image description here"></a></p>

<p>Photograph of old Greenland Ranch Station, California, USA (<a href="https://wmo.asu.edu/content/world-highest-temperature" rel="noreferrer">source</a>)</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-01-03T00:48:15.180Z
I remember seeing an article researching one of the old heat records, and showing that it was probably not correct. I can't remember of it was Death Valley or otherwise. Have you heard of that? I can't find the article now.
Gimelist
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-01-03T01:22:07.053Z
@Gimelist It might be the one at El Azizia that is mention in the quote above. I've added a link to the press release now. The WMO is constantly evaluating record claims, like this recent one in Antractica https://public.wmo.int/en/resources/meteoworld/antarctic-extreme-temperature-record-evaluation
Camilo Rada
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-01-03T02:02:44.380Z
Here's the article about the likely inaccuracies of old high measurements: https://www.wunderground.com/blog/weatherhistorian/hottest-reliably-measured-air-temperatures-on-earth.html
Plutor
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-01-03T02:11:12.163Z
@Plutor Very interesting article. Thanks for sharing it. I'll add a comment about that in my answer.
Camilo Rada
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-01-03T17:01:08.663Z
Regarding “heat index,” I believe the highest one ever recorded (according to the modern US formula) is about 80 degrees C in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia when a temperature of 42 C was coupled with a world record dew point temperature of 35 C. Places such as Bandar Abbas in Iran reach a heat index of 60 C semi-frequently during summer, according to historical records available on Wunderground and elsewhere.
shalop
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-01-02T22:50:39.637Z
2019-01-03T12:56:23.413Z
2019-01-03T12:56:23.413Z
Camilo Rada
<p>The article entitled "<a href="https://elpais.com/elpais/2017/06/30/ciencia/1498813164_129942.html" rel="noreferrer">54 Celsius degrees in Iran, the highest temperature ever recorded?</a>" says 56,6 Celsius may be the highest temperature ever recorded, in Death Valley, California, and it also mentions that Iran's heat index peaked at 61,2 Celsius in the event the story was about.</p>

<p>I ask this question because several cities in my province in Argentina are registering heat indexes of over 60 Celsius, with a maximum in the center of Santa Fe city of 65,7° Celsius. </p>

<p>So what was the highest temperature ever recorded on the surface of the Earth?</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-01-03T00:18:19.843Z
Are you asking about naturally occurring heat or would the heat from say an A-Bomb count?
BruceWayne
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-01-03T00:19:38.500Z
Naturally occuring heat
Pablo
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-01-03T00:24:47.003Z
Are you asking about _heat index_ or _temperature_?
Ian MacDonald
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-01-03T01:59:11.287Z
Temperature, but my question arised because of the heat indexes registered here today, which are above the temperature records, apparently. I wanted to check that
Pablo
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-01-03T12:58:25.137Z
Might want to edit the question, as pretty sure volcano's are both naturally occurring, and on the surface of earth.
djsmiley2kStaysInside
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-01-03T14:11:51.807Z
To @djsmiley2k's point, the answer is apparently [1,100°C](https://www.forbes.com/sites/robinandrews/2016/12/31/this-is-where-the-hottest-lava-in-the-solar-system-can-be-found/#5ceddc8841e9).
ceejayoz
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-01-03T17:03:41.290Z
@djsmiley2k actually Guinness records used to list the hottest temperature as the area near a lightning bolt, where it can apparently reach close to 30000 degrees C.
shalop
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-01-04T12:18:10.017Z
[Heat index is unscientific](https://xkcd.com/2026/)
gerrit
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-01-09T18:00:19.473Z
This article mentions air temperature and ground surface temperature being 2 different things. Since I didnt specify in my question, should both temperature records be included? With perhaps an explanation that the temperature we use to hear on media is air temperature? The ground surface temperature record mentioned is 93,9C https://rmets.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/j.1477-8696.2001.tb06577.x
Pablo
<climate><temperature><measurements><extreme-weather><field-measurements>
What was the highest temperature ever recorded on the surface of Earth?
Pablo
# What was the highest temperature ever recorded on the surface of Earth?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2019-01-02)

The article entitled "[54 Celsius degrees in Iran, the highest temperature ever recorded?](https://elpais.com/elpais/2017/06/30/ciencia/1498813164_129942.html)" says 56,6 Celsius may be the highest temperature ever recorded, in Death Valley, California, and it also mentions that Iran's heat index peaked at 61,2 Celsius in the event the story was about.

I ask this question because several cities in my province in Argentina are registering heat indexes of over 60 Celsius, with a maximum in the center of Santa Fe city of 65,7° Celsius.

So what was the highest temperature ever recorded on the surface of the Earth?

**Tags:** climate, temperature, measurements, extreme-weather, field-measurements

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Are you asking about naturally occurring heat or would the heat from say an A-Bomb count?  
> **username_0**: Naturally occuring heat  
> **username_2**: Are you asking about _heat index_ or _temperature_?  
> **username_0**: Temperature, but my question arised because of the heat indexes registered here today, which are above the temperature records, apparently. I wanted to check that  
> **username_3**: Might want to edit the question, as pretty sure volcano's are both naturally occurring, and on the surface of earth.  
> **username_4**: To @djsmiley2k's point, the answer is apparently [1,100°C](https://www.forbes.com/sites/robinandrews/2016/12/31/this-is-where-the-hottest-lava-in-the-solar-system-can-be-found/#5ceddc8841e9).  
> **username_5**: @djsmiley2k actually Guinness records used to list the hottest temperature as the area near a lightning bolt, where it can apparently reach close to 30000 degrees C.  
> **username_6**: [Heat index is unscientific](https://xkcd.com/2026/)  
> **username_0**: This article mentions air temperature and ground surface temperature being 2 different things. Since I didnt specify in my question, should both temperature records be included? With perhaps an explanation that the temperature we use to hear on media is air temperature? The ground surface temperature record mentioned is 93,9C https://rmets.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/j.1477-8696.2001.tb06577.x  

---

## 3 answers

### Answer by username_9 on 2019-01-02. Score: 19 | Accepted answer

The record the article is referring about seems to be the same as registered at [Guiness World Records](http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/highest-recorded-temperature):

> On 13 September 2012 the World Meteorological Organisation
> disqualified the record for the highest recorded temperature, exactly
> 90 years after it had been established at El Azizia, Libya, with a
> measurement of 58°C. The official highest recorded temperature is now
> **56.7°C** (134°F), which was measured on 10 July 1913 at Greenland Ranch, Death Valley, California, USA.

Those records are usually well researched, and in this case it matches what is reported by the [WMO](https://public.wmo.int/en). Since 2007, the WMO Commission for Climatology (CCl) has maintained the [Archive of World Weather and Climate Extremes](https://wmo.asu.edu/content/world-meteorological-organization-global-weather-climate-extremes-archive). In that archive, the same record is reported as the current highest temperature ever recorded:

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/jkOX3.png)](https://i.sstatic.net/jkOX3.png)

More details about the record are described [here](https://wmo.asu.edu/content/world-highest-temperature).
The official WMO press release about the invalidation of the 1922 El Azizia record can be found [here](https://public.wmo.int/en/media/news/wmo-ninety-year-old-world-temperature-record-el-azizia-libya-invalid).

It is surprising however, that with most the hottest years on record happening in the last few decades, the maximum recorded temperature is still from 1913.

Some people have questioned the reliability of those old measurements. More recent and much more reliable measurements seem to top-up at about 54.0°C as pointed out by a [very interesting article](https://www.wunderground.com/blog/weatherhistorian/hottest-reliably-measured-air-temperatures-on-earth.html) brought up by @username_11 in the comments.

Note that you are mixing temperature and [heat index](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heat_index) in your question. Make sure you understand the difference.

PS: "Greenland" Ranch... a rather sarcastic name for such a place.

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/3f9i5.png)](https://i.sstatic.net/3f9i5.png)

Photograph of old Greenland Ranch Station, California, USA ([source](https://wmo.asu.edu/content/world-highest-temperature))

> **Comments:**
> **username_10**: I remember seeing an article researching one of the old heat records, and showing that it was probably not correct. I can't remember of it was Death Valley or otherwise. Have you heard of that? I can't find the article now.  
> **username_9**: @username_10 It might be the one at El Azizia that is mention in the quote above. I've added a link to the press release now. The WMO is constantly evaluating record claims, like this recent one in Antractica https://public.wmo.int/en/resources/meteoworld/antarctic-extreme-temperature-record-evaluation  
> **username_11**: Here's the article about the likely inaccuracies of old high measurements: https://www.wunderground.com/blog/weatherhistorian/hottest-reliably-measured-air-temperatures-on-earth.html  
> **username_9**: @username_11 Very interesting article. Thanks for sharing it. I'll add a comment about that in my answer.  
> **username_5**: Regarding “heat index,” I believe the highest one ever recorded (according to the modern US formula) is about 80 degrees C in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia when a temperature of 42 C was coupled with a world record dew point temperature of 35 C. Places such as Bandar Abbas in Iran reach a heat index of 60 C semi-frequently during summer, according to historical records available on Wunderground and elsewhere.  

---

### Answer by username_7 on 2019-01-03. Score: 6

The [Hadean era](http://www.geologypage.com/2013/10/hadean-eon.html) covers the time from the formation of the Earth until 4bn years ago. It was characterized by a surface of molten rock, due to repeated meteor strikes, volcanism and radioactive decay.

> "Liquid water oceans existed despite the surface temperature of 230 °C
> (446 °F) because of the atmospheric pressure of the heavy carbon
> dioxide atmosphere."
>
> Source: [Wikipedia, "Origin of water"](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Origin_of_water_on_Earth) (\*Study from Sleep et al,2001)

Whether this counts as "recorded" is another matter. No-one measured it with a thermometer, but it can be modelled using palaeo-climatology principles.

---

**N. H. Sleep; K. Zahnle & P. S. Neuhoff.** "*Inaugural Article: Initiation of clement surface conditions on the earliest Earth"* Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, **Mar 2001**, 98 (7) 3666-3672; DOI: 10.1073/pnas.071045698 [Published in PNAS](https://www.pnas.org/content/98/7/3666.short)

> **Comments:**
> **username_6**: This is not a useful interpretation of *highest temperature recorded*.  There's higher temperatures measured at the surface of the Earth during volcanic eruptions and forest fires.  Those are not usually accepted as temperature extremes when discussing the weather.  And certainly, the estimated temperatures during the Hadean era are coming from models and not measurements.  
> **username_7**: @username_6 I'm simply claiming that the climate in the Hadean was hotter than at present, because the OP mentions examples of climate, not individual events. But thank you for confirming that no-one was around to measure Hadean temperatures.  

---

### Answer by username_8 on 2021-11-20. Score: 6

Note that in addition to username_9's answer, [Wikipedia links](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Highest_temperature_recorded_on_Earth#:%7E:text=Satellite%20measurements%20of%20ground%20temperature,in%20the%20Lut%20Desert%2C%20Iran.) to [a peer reviewed BAMS article](https://journals.ametsoc.org/view/journals/bams/92/7/2011bams3067_1.xml) noting that:

> Satellite measurements of ground temperature taken between 2003 and
> 2009, taken with the MODIS infrared spectroradiometer on the Aqua
> satellite, found a maximum temperature of **70.7 °C (159.3 °F)**, which
> was recorded **in 2005 in the Lut Desert, Iran**. The Lut Desert was also
> found to have the highest maximum temperature in 5 of the 7 years
> measured (2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2009). These measurements
> reflect averages over a large region and so are lower than the maximum
> point surface temperature

Indeed we only have observation stations at very limited desert locations, as we tend to put them where power and human resources (for repairs and such) are available. So the most remote locations like in the heart of the Sahara don't have a lot of measurements. [See this map of today's observations](https://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/international/gts1/gts_africa_tmax_1d.png) for example ([here's an archived image from 11/20/21](https://i.sstatic.net/5QjlB.jpg) in case the link rots) So satellite data, while perhaps not absolutely positively perfectly equatable, gives a better idea of what and where the true maximum temperatures on Earth are.


---

