Iran’s Lut desert is home to the hottest recorded spot on the earth’s surface. According to NASA’s satellite data of land surface temperature. 70.7°C was recorded there in 2005 and the Dasht e Lut has taken the hottest top spot on several annual occasions since.
Before talking about whether the Dasht e Lut Desert is the hottest place or not. It is good to know that the desert is a large salt desert. Actually the world’s 27th-largest desert with an area of 51,800 square kilometers (20,000 square miles). In 2016, it was inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List.
The Lut Desert is in the southeast of the Islamic Republic of Iran. An arid continental subtropical area is notable for a rich variety of spectacular desert landforms. In the Persian language ‘Lut’ refers to bare land without water and devoid of vegetation. Moreover, its all area, there is no vegetation or animal life.
Since the Lut desert is rich in iron and has a blackish surface. It absorbs and sustains a lot of sunlight. According to experts the hottest spot in the desert is the Central Lute Hole. 75 kilometers away to the east of Shahdad city. The hottest satellite reading of ground temperature was recorded in 2005 at the Lut’s Gandom Beryan with a temperature of 70.7 °C (159.3 °F).
Between the Lut Desert and the Sonoran Desert. The Lut Desert holds the crown for the world’s hottest land surface temperature based on satellite data from 2002 and 2019. According to the news, the black rocks in Lut Desert tend to get the hottest, and heat is trapped by its mountains. Due to the high temperature of the area, life struggles to exist. However. it is also known as the “Plain of Emptiness” (Emptiness Plain).
Researchers believe that the actual temperature of the desert could be ten degrees hotter. Than was previously recorded by the NASA satellite software that helped them determine land temperatures.
Tourism
Despite the lack of tourist facilities, the unique charm of Dasht-e Lut draws a lot of tourists to it. Except for the mesmerizing natural beauty that will make you forget all about yourself. You can engage in adventures such as safari, motorcycling, camel riding, and watching the greatness of the space at night.
Moreover, Shafiabad Castle, Shahdad water reservoir, Shahzadeh Garden and a bit further Arg-e Bam are the near attraction you might like to visit.