[InterestingEngineering] The coldest place on Earth is burning because of zombie fires.
Oymyakon, Russia, which has the lowest winter temperatures of any city in the world with an average of 58°F below zero (50°C below zero) is generally considered the coldest inhabited area on Earth. Oymyakon’s lowest recorded temperature was a reading of 89.9°F below zero (67.7°C below zero) back in January 1924.
Even though Oymyakon means "unfrozen water" due to the thermal spring located nearby, the area is located in a permafrost zone, which means that the ground temperature is constantly 32°F below zero (0°C) and is permanently covered in snow.
Despite low temperatures, peat fires, also known as "zombie fires," fueled by peat and methane, continue to burn in the area below the ground. |