El Azizia, once recognized as the hottest place on Earth, captured global attention when a weather station recorded a scorching temperature of 136.4° Fahrenheit (58° Celsius) on September 13, 1922. Located in northwestern Libya, this small town in the Jafara district, about 25 miles southwest of the capital Tripoli, there long stood under the shadow of this extreme climatic event.
However, this record was later scrutinized and eventually invalidated by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) in 2012, citing concerns about the accuracy of the reading. This decision was influenced by several factors, including potential errors made by an inexperienced observer and unsuitable equipment used during the time of recording. Additionally, it was found that the asphalt-like surface near the measurement site might have increased the local temperature readings.
Following the disqualification of El Azizia's record, Death Valley in California, USA, resumed its status as the holder of the world’s highest air temperature. This desert valley hit 134°F (56.7°C) on July 10, 1913—a record that still stands. While the disqualification of the El Azizia record may have altered the readings in the record books, it does very little to change the harsh climate realities faced by the inhabitants of these areas. Both El Azizia and Death Valley continue to experience extremely high temperatures that challenge the resilience of both humans and the environment alike.
The episode serves as a reminder of the complexities involved in accurately measuring and recording weather data—a task that has become even more crucial in an era of climate change. Accurate historical data is essential for understanding longer-term climate patterns and for predicting future climatic changes, which in turn helps in planning and implementing strategies for mitigation and adaptation. Thus, while El Azizia may have lost its title, the focus it brought to the study of extreme temperature phenomena continues to be significant for climatologists across the globe.
