Last Updated on August 10, 2023

Deserts are regions that receive less than 10 inches of rainfall per year, and they can be hot or cold. The majority of deserts on the planet are hot and dry, with high evaporation rates. The lack of rainfall prevents the Earth’s surface from cooling, which causes the ground and air to heat up to very high temperatures.

Hot deserts are home to some of the most extreme environments on the planet. These deserts often have average temperatures well above 122 degrees Fahrenheit (50 degrees Celsius) during the day, although they tend to get cool at night.

The hottest desert on Earth is the Dasht-e Lut Desert in Iran, which has a recorded surface temperature of 158 degrees Fahrenheit (70 degrees Celsius).

Death Valley, in the Mojave Desert of California, has a recorded air temperature of 134 degrees Fahrenheit (56.7 degrees Celsius), which is the highest air temperature ever recorded on Earth.

The high temperatures in these deserts are caused by a combination of factors, including:

• The lack of rainfall, which prevents the Earth’s surface from cooling.
• The high evaporation rates, which cause the air to become hot and dry.
• The high altitudes of some deserts, which can trap heat.
• The presence of black rocks, which absorb heat from the sun.

The extreme temperatures in these deserts pose a challenge for life. However, some plants and animals have adapted to these harsh conditions, and even human population have historically settled in this unforgiving environments.

Below, a list of the 10 hottest deserts in the world.

10. Great Victoria Desert

The 10th hottest desert on Earth is the Great Victoria Desert, located in Australia. It has been recorded at temperatures of over 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius), and it is known for its red sand dunes and spinifex grasslands.

The Great Victoria Desert is a vast, arid expanse of sand dunes, salt lakes, and rocky outcrops. It is one of the driest deserts in Australia, with an average annual rainfall of less than 5 inches (12 cm). The desert is also home to some of the most extreme temperatures on Earth, with summer highs that can reach over 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius).

The Great Victoria Desert is a harsh environment, but it is also home to a surprising variety of life. The desert is home to a number of reptiles, including snakes, lizards, and tortoises. There are also a few mammals that live in the desert, such as the kangaroo rat and the dingo.

Here are some additional facts about the Great Victoria Desert:

• It is the second largest desert in Australia, after the Simpson Desert.
• It is home to the Nullarbor Plain, which is a vast, flat limestone plateau.
• It is a popular destination for four-wheel driving, camping, and stargazing.
• It is also a popular destination for scientists studying climate change.

9. Karum Desert

The 9th hottest desert on Earth is the Karakum Desert, located in Turkmenistan. It has been recorded at temperatures of over 112 degrees Fahrenheit (44 degrees Celsius), and it is known for its sand dunes and salt flats.

The Karakum Desert is a vast, arid expanse of sand dunes, salt flats, and rocky outcrops. It is one of the driest deserts in Central Asia, with an average annual rainfall of less than 5 inches (13 cm). The desert is also home to some of the most extreme temperatures on Earth, with summer highs that can reach over 112 degrees Fahrenheit (44 degrees Celsius).

Here are some additional facts about the Karakum Desert:

• It is the largest desert in Turkmenistan.
• It is home to the Darvaza Gas Crater, a natural gas crater that is also known as the “Gates of Hell.”
• It is also home to the Karakum Canal, a major irrigation project that has helped to transform the desert into a fertile agricultural region.

8. The Kalahari Desert

The Kalahari Desert is located in southern Africa, and it is the 8th hottest desert on Earth. It has been recorded at temperatures of over 115 degrees Fahrenheit (46 degrees Celsius), and it is known for its red sand dunes and savanna grasslands.

The Kalahari Desert is a vast, arid expanse of sand dunes, salt pans, and rocky outcrops. It is one of the driest deserts in Africa, with an average annual rainfall of less than 10 inches (25 cm). The desert is also home to some of the most extreme temperatures on Earth, with summer highs that can reach over 105 degrees Fahrenheit (41 degrees Celsius).

The Kalahari Desert is a harsh environment, but it is also home to a surprising variety of life. The desert is home to a number of reptiles, including snakes, lizards, and tortoises. There are also a few mammals that live in the desert, such as lions, elephants, and giraffes.

Here are some additional facts about the Kalahari Desert:

• It is the third largest desert in Africa, after the Sahara Desert and the Arabian Desert.
• It is home to the Okavango Delta, which is a vast wetland area that is home to a variety of wildlife.
• It is a popular destination for safaris, camping, and hiking.
• It is also a popular destination for scientists studying climate change.

7. Thar Desert

The 7th hottest desert on Earth is the Thar Desert, located in India and Pakistan. It has been recorded at temperatures of over 115 degrees Fahrenheit (46 degrees Celsius), and it is known for its sand dunes and scrublands.

The Thar Desert is a vast, arid expanse of sand dunes, scrublands, and rocky outcrops. It is one of the driest deserts in Asia, with an average annual rainfall of less than 10 inches (25 cm). The desert is also home to some of the most extreme temperatures on Earth, with summer highs that can reach over 115 degrees Fahrenheit (46 degrees Celsius).

The Thar Desert is a harsh environment, but it is also home to a surprising variety of life. The desert is home to a number of reptiles, including snakes, lizards, and tortoises. There are also a few mammals that live in the desert, such as the camel, the desert fox, and the blackbuck antelope.

The Thar Desert is a fascinating place, and it is a popular destination for tourists. However, it is important to be aware of the dangers of visiting the desert, such as the extreme heat and the lack of water. If you are planning to visit the Thar Desert, it is important to be prepared and to take all necessary precautions.

Here are some additional facts about the Thar Desert:

• It is the second largest desert in Asia, after the Arabian Desert.
• It is home to the Thar Desert National Park, which is a popular destination for birdwatching and camel safaris.
• It is also home to the Great Indian Rann, a vast salt marsh that is home to a variety of wildlife.

6. The Mojave Desert

The Mojave Desert is located in the southwestern United States, and it is the 6th hottest desert on Earth. It has been recorded at temperatures of over 120 degrees Fahrenheit (49 degrees Celsius), and it is known for its Joshua trees and sand dunes.

The Mojave Desert is a vast, arid expanse of sand dunes, salt flats, and rocky outcrops. It is one of the driest deserts in North America, with an average annual rainfall of less than 10 inches (25 cm). The desert is also home to some of the most extreme temperatures on Earth, with summer highs that can reach over 120 degrees Fahrenheit (49 degrees Celsius).

The hottest air temperature ever recorded on Earth was 56.7°C (134.1°F), which occurred on July 10, 1913, in the Furnace Creek area of Death Valley, California. This area is aptly named, as it is a hot and dry desert. The high temperatures in Death Valley are caused by a combination of factors, including the lack of rainfall, the high evaporation rates, and the high altitudes.

The Mojave Desert is a harsh environment, but it is also home to a surprising variety of life. The desert is home to a number of reptiles, including snakes, lizards, and tortoises. There are also a few mammals that live in the desert, such as the coyote, the jackrabbit, and the kangaroo rat.

Here are some additional facts about the Mojave Desert:

• It is the smallest of the four major deserts in the United States.
• It is home to the Joshua Tree National Park, which is a popular destination for hiking, camping, and rock climbing.
• It is also home to the Death Valley National Park, which is the hottest and driest national park in the United States.

5. The Taklamakan Desert

The Taklamakan Desert is located in China, and it is the 5th hottest desert on Earth. It has been recorded at temperatures of over 130 degrees Fahrenheit (54.4 degrees Celsius), and it is known for its sand dunes and gravel plains.

The Taklamakan Desert is a vast, arid expanse of sand dunes, gravel plains, and salt flats. It is one of the driest deserts in the world, with an average annual rainfall of less than 2 inches (5 cm). The desert is also home to some of the most extreme temperatures on Earth, with summer highs that can reach over 95 degrees Fahrenheit (35 degrees Celsius).

The Taklamakan Desert is a harsh environment, but it is also home to a surprising variety of life. The desert is home to a number of reptiles, including snakes, lizards, and tortoises. There are also a few mammals that live in the desert, such as the camel and the wild ass.

The Taklamakan Desert is a fascinating place, and it is a popular destination for tourists. However, it is important to be aware of the dangers of visiting the desert, such as the extreme heat and the lack of water. If you are planning to visit the Taklamakan Desert, it is important to be prepared and to take all necessary precautions.

Here are some additional facts about the Taklamakan Desert:

• It is the second largest desert in China, after the Gobi Desert.
• It is home to the Tarim Basin, which is a large, arid basin that is home to a variety of wildlife.
• It is considered one of the most dangerous deserts in the world. Its name roughly translates as “Place of no return”.

4. The Arabian Desert

The Arabian Desert is located in the Middle East, and it is the fourth hottest desert on Earth. It has been recorded at temperatures of over 130 degrees Fahrenheit (54.4 degrees Celsius) in direct sunlight, and it is home to a variety of wildlife, including camels, goats, and birds.

The Arabian Desert is a vast, arid expanse of sand dunes, gravel plains, and mountains. It is one of the driest places on Earth, with an average annual rainfall of less than 4 inches (10 cm). The desert is also home to some of the most extreme temperatures on Earth, with summer highs that can reach over 110 degrees Fahrenheit (43 degrees Celsius).

The Arabian Desert is a harsh environment, but it is also home to a surprising variety of life. The desert is home to a number of reptiles, including snakes, lizards, and tortoises. There are also a number of mammals that live in the desert, such as the camel, the oryx, and the Arabian gazelle.

Here are some additional facts about the Arabian Desert:

• It is the largest desert in the Middle East.
• It is home to the Rub’ al Khali, which is the largest sand desert in the world.
• It is a popular destination for camel racing, dune bashing, and stargazing.
• It is also a popular destination for scientists studying climate change, as it is one of the most rapidly warming deserts on Earth.

3. The Sahara Desert

The Sahara Desert is the largest hot desert and 3rd hottest desert on Earth, located in Africa. It has been recorded at temperatures of over 130 degrees Fahrenheit (54.4 degrees Celsius), and it is home to a variety of wildlife, including camels, snakes, and lizards.

The Sahara Desert is a vast, arid expanse of sand dunes, rocks, and salt flats. It is one of the driest places on Earth, with an average annual rainfall of less than 2 inches (5 cm). The desert is also home to some of the most extreme temperatures on Earth, with summer highs that can reach over 115 degrees Fahrenheit (46 degrees Celsius).

The Sahara Desert is a harsh environment, but it is also home to a surprising variety of life. The desert is home to a number of reptiles, including snakes, lizards, and tortoises. There are also a number of mammals that live in the desert, such as the camel, the fennec fox, and the addax.

Here are some additional facts about the Sahara Desert:

• It is the world’s largest hot desert.
• It is home to the world’s largest sand dunes, which can reach up to 1,500 feet (460 m) high.
• It is a popular destination for camel trekking, sandboarding, and stargazing.
• It is also a popular destination for scientists studying climate change, as it is one of the most rapidly warming deserts on Earth.
• It is also the deadliest desert due to human activity, due to high levels of crime and terrorism.

2. The Sonoran Desert

The Sonoran Desert is the second hottest desert on Earth, located in the southwestern United States and Mexico. It has been recorded at temperatures of over 134.1 degrees Fahrenheit (56.7 degrees Celsius), and it is home to a variety of unique plants and animals.

The Sonoran Desert is a vast, arid expanse of sand dunes, cacti, and shrubs. It is one of the driest deserts in North America, with an average annual rainfall of less than 10 inches (25 cm). The desert is also home to some of the most extreme temperatures on Earth, with summer highs that regurarly reach over 120 degrees Fahrenheit (49 degrees Celsius).

The Sonoran Desert is a harsh environment, but it is also home to a surprising variety of life. The desert is home to a number of cacti, including the saguaro cactus, the prickly pear cactus, and the barrel cactus. There are also a number of mammals that live in the desert, such as the coyote, the jackrabbit, and the kangaroo rat.

The Sonoran Desert is a fascinating place, and it is a popular destination for tourists. However, it is important to be aware of the dangers of visiting the desert, such as the extreme heat and the lack of water. If you are planning to visit the Sonoran Desert, it is important to be prepared and to take all necessary precautions.

Here are some additional facts about the Sonoran Desert:

• It is the largest desert in the southwestern United States.
• It is home to the Sonoran pronghorn, which is a rare type of antelope.
• It is a popular destination for birdwatching, as it is home to over 400 species of birds.
• It is also a popular destination for hiking and camping.

1. The Lut Desert

The Lut Desert or Dasht-e Lut is the hottest desert on Earth, located in Iran and Pakistan. It has been recorded at temperatures of over 159.3 degrees Fahrenheit (70.7 degrees Celsius), and it is known for its extreme heat and aridity.

The Lut Desert is a vast, arid expanse of sand dunes, salt flats, and rocky outcrops. It is one of the driest places on Earth, with an average annual rainfall of less than 0.06 inches (1.5 mm). The desert is also home to some of the most extreme temperatures on Earth, with summer highs that can reach over 150 degrees Fahrenheit (66 degrees Celsius).

The Lut Desert is a harsh environment, but it is also home to a surprising variety of life. The desert is home to a number of reptiles, including snakes, lizards, and tortoises. There are also a few mammals that live in the desert, such as the desert fox and the sand cat.

The Lut Desert is a fascinating place, and it is a popular destination for tourists. However, it is important to be aware of the dangers of visiting the desert, such as the extreme heat and the lack of water. If you are planning to visit the Lut Desert, it is important to be prepared and to take all necessary precautions.

Here are some additional facts about the Lut Desert:

• It is the second largest desert in Iran, after the Dasht-e Kavir.
• It is home to the Kalut desert, which is a group of large, wind-sculpted rock formations.
• It is a popular destination for scientists studying climate change, as it is one of the most arid and inhospitable places on Earth.
• It is also a popular destination for photographers, who are drawn to its stark beauty.

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