Earth is home to a wide range of ecosystems, although some areas have such unfavorable conditions to human life. These sites are places of a combination of high or low temperatures, poisonous fumes, lack of oxygen, or high isolation. These environments are severe as confirmed by scientific measurements by meteorological stations and field studies. The subsequent sections identify eleven of the most vicious locations on the planet today and discuss the danger posed by each of them in particular.
Antarctica
The lowest natural temperatures on the earth are recorded in Antarctica. In 1983, the minimum temperature of the Vostok Station was -89.2 C. Wind is known to be over 100 kilometers per hour posing a more risk to frostbite. It is not much sunlight in winter, which influences mental and physical health.
Death Valley, United States
California has Death Valley that was the highest air temperature with 56.7 degrees Celsius in 1913. The temperature of the ground improves more during summer. The average rainfall of less than 60 millimeters per year poses a risk of dehydration in a couple of hours in the absence of water.
United Arab Emirates-Depression, Ethiopia
There is an average of over 34 degrees Celsius of annual temperatures in the Danakil Depression. Sulfur gases are emitted by volcanic activities, which form toxic air pockets. Hot springs are acidic and the ground surfaces are unstable thus making physical danger a threat to visitors and researchers.
Mount Everest, China and Nepal
Mount Everest is 8,849 meters above the sea level. At the top, the concentration of oxygen is approximately one third of the sea level. The temperatures drop to below minus 40 degrees Celsius. Avalanches and sudden storms are also known to pose a lot of life threatening circumstances.
Atacama Desert, Chile
One of the non polar regions is the Atacama desert which is one of the driest sites. There were weather stations which did not record rainfall within decades. The sun and low humidity destroy the skin and eyes. There are restricted food ensures due to limited organic material.
Oymyakon, Russia
Oymyakon in Siberia registers winter temperatures that are below minus 50 degrees Celsius. Fuel lines and mechanical systems are frozen. When skin is exposed to cold in a few minutes, frostbite develops. There is still a limited agricultural activity caused by the permafrost soil.
Sahara Desert, North Africa
Sahara has an area of about 9.2 million square kilometers. In most areas, day time temperatures are over 45 degrees Celsius. Sandstorms diminish the visibility and hamper breathing. The water sources are still limited, and very far in between.
Snake Island, Brazil
Snake island (Ilha da Queimada Grande) represents one of the largest densities of venomous snakes in a square meter. The golden lancehead pit viper species became accustomed to the isolation of the island. The Brazilian authorities limit human access due to safety reasons.
Mariana trench, Pacific Ocean
The Mariana Trench is almost 11,000 meters under the sea level. The pressure of water is more than 1, 000 times than atmospheric pressure. These depths are not penetrated by sunlight. Exploration and research necessitate the use of special submersibles.
Dallol, Ethiopia
Dallol has high salt concentration hydrothermal fields and acidic pools. The surface temperature is often above 45 degrees celsius. Fossil deposits form unstable layers of crust. Scientific surveys rate the region one of the hottest areas with people living in it in historical times.
Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, Ukraine
The Chernobyl Exclusion Zone is still toxic because of the nuclear accident that happened in 1986. The radiation levels change throughout the region. Repeated exposure is dangerous in the long run. Settlement is regulated but few wildlife has evolved over decades.
