Quote:
Originally Posted by blueboy56
A serious question (for a change): Is there a physical limit as to how hot it can get on Earth's surface? Is there something that prevents the temperature from going above the high 120's?
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Yes. But it's hard to put a finger on exactly what that would be. Once the air gets so hot in one little area that air becomes lighter than the surrounding air. Hence it will rise. Cooler surrounding air is going to come in to replace that air. So that limits the maximum.
Furnace Creek is kinda special. The actual super hot spot there is associated with the local terrain. There is an area that is, I don't know, 40 acres? That the natural soil is damn near black. Like a Costco parking lot from hell. The central spot there gets super heated due to the dark ground. Then because the area is so large 1) there isn't much differential so not a lot of air density difference between the hot stuff and the neighboring hot stuff. Not much air rises. Then 2) what does rise is replaced by super heated neighboring air from the identical acre next door. if you see what I mean.
Look at Google maps and you'll see what I mean. Look at the satellite view of course. You'll also see the airport and hotel Degrees mentioned - where his brother is probably laying on the asphalt sizzling like bacon.