While many regions around the world are known for their frigid climates, a few places have experienced cold temperatures so extreme that they stand out in history. Here are the five coldest temperatures ever recorded on Earth.

1. Vostok Station, Antarctica

Temperature: -128.6°F (-89.2°C)

Date: July 21, 1983

Vostok Station, a Russian research station in Antarctica, holds the record for the coldest temperature ever measured on Earth. On July 21, 1983, the temperature plummeted to a bone-chilling -128.6°F (-89.2°C). The station, located at the center of the East Antarctic Ice Sheet, experiences some of the most extreme weather conditions due to its high elevation and distance from the ocean.

2. Dome Fuji, Antarctica

Temperature: -123.3°F (-86.8°C)

Date: August 10, 2010

Dome Fuji, another remote research station in Antarctica, recorded the second coldest temperature ever on August 10, 2010. The temperature at this high-altitude station dropped to an incredible -123.3°F (-86.8°C). Dome Fuji is known for its clear skies and dry conditions, which contribute to its extremely low temperatures.

3. Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station, Antarctica

Temperature: -117°F (-82.8°C)

Date: June 23, 1982

The Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station, situated at the geographic South Pole, recorded a temperature of -117°F (-82.8°C) on June 23, 1982. This research station experiences continuous darkness for six months of the year during the polar winter, leading to consistently low temperatures and making it one of the coldest inhabited places on Earth.

4. Oymyakon, Russia

Temperature: -89.9°F (-67.7°C)

Date: February 6, 1933

Oymyakon, a rural locality in the Sakha Republic of Russia, is often referred to as the coldest inhabited place on Earth. On February 6, 1933, the temperature dropped to a staggering -89.9°F (-67.7°C). Despite the extreme cold, Oymyakon is home to a small community of residents who have adapted to the harsh climate.

5. Verkhoyansk, Russia

Temperature: -89.7°F (-67.6°C)

Date: February 7, 1892

Verkhoyansk, another town in the Sakha Republic of Russia, competes with Oymyakon for the title of the coldest inhabited place on Earth. On February 7, 1892, the temperature fell to -89.7°F (-67.6°C). Verkhoyansk is known for its extreme temperature variations, with hot summers and brutally cold winters.

These five locations represent the pinnacle of extreme cold on our planet. The people and researchers who live and work in these frigid environments endure some of the most challenging weather conditions imaginable, showcasing the remarkable adaptability of life in the face of nature’s harshest elements.