Valley of death - Hottest place in the world: mortal danger in Death Valley
A heat wave in parts of the USA is bringing extreme temperatures to the famous Death Valley - for numerous tourists, this means danger, even life-threatening situations in the worst-case scenario. The daily high temperatures in California's Death Valley exceed 50 degrees in these days.
A motorcycle rider paid for it with his life over the weekend. A group of bikers overheated so severely that one of them was pronounced dead on the spot. Several other group members were taken to a hospital in Las Vegas.
Hottest Place on Earth
The Death Valley in eastern California desert and Nevada is considered the hottest place on Earth. The measurement at the Greenland Ranch in July 1913 is recognized as a world record. At that time, temperatures reached legendary 56.7 degrees - a scientist disputed this in 2016 as meteorologically impossible and suspected a measurement error. The Death Valley is 86 meters below sea level and the lowest and driest place in North America.
The shape of the narrow basin plays a significant role in the temperatures, as the surrounding mountains reflect the heat back into the valley. In addition, the clear and dry air, as well as the sparse vegetation cover, cause the ground to heat up strongly in the sunlight. The problem in emergencies: At temperatures above 49 degrees, helicopters cannot even land in the valley.
Most Deaths from Heat
The National Park Service warns on its website about "extreme summer heat" in Death Valley. Temperatures could rise to 54 degrees in the coming days. "Spend as little time as possible outside in the heat. Do not hike before 10 a.m. Drink plenty of water. Travel prepared to survive," the National Park Service advises.
Heat is the weather phenomenon with the highest mortality rates in the United States - according to the National Weather Service, an average of 183 people died from heat-related causes in the past 30 years. That's more than from floods and tornados combined. High temperatures can cause cooling mechanisms like sweating to no longer be sufficient and the body to overheat, causing damage to the brain or vital organs. Heat stroke can lead to death.
Millions Exposed to Heat
While the former hurricane "Beryl" moves over the US center, large parts of the country are baking under the sun and temperatures far above 30 degrees. For the US state of Oregon in the northwest of the country, authorities declared the highest heat alert level. The Atlantic coast from Florida in the south to New York and Boston in the north has been experiencing uninterrupted hot weather for days.
Heat waves are common in the USA - especially in Arizona, Nevada, Texas, or Florida. However, scientists see climate change as a driving factor for the new heat records of recent years. The greenhouse gases emitted cause increasingly intense and frequent extreme weather.
- Despite the heatwave, some adventurous motorcyclists decided to explore Death Valley over the weekend, but one of them tragically lost their life due to the extreme temperatures.
- Death Valley, located in eastern California desert and Nevada, is infamous for its scorching climate, even breaking records with temperatures exceeding 56.7 degrees Celsius in 1913.
- Tourists visiting USA's Death Valley must remain cautious as soaring temperatures above 49 degrees can render helicopters unable to land in emergencies, leading to dangerous situations.
- In light of the impending heatwave expected to reach 54 degrees in Death Valley, the National Park Service advises visitors to take preventative measures, including limiting outdoor activities, staying hydrated, and preparing for survival.
- Heat-related deaths have become a significant concern in the USA, with an average of 183 fatalities recorded annually as per the National Weather Service, surpassing the combined toll from floods and tornados, as high temperatures can impair the body's cooling mechanisms and potentially cause organ damage or heat stroke.
