Commemorating 100 years since the world's hottest temperature

July 10, 2013 marked the 100-year anniversary of the hottest temperature measured on earth – 134 degrees Fahrenheit, in Death Valley, Calif. Just last fall, Furnace Creek in Death Valley claimed the title of world’s hottest place after a team of scientists, led by ASU professor Randy Cerveny, announced its conclusion that a competing record from El Azizia, Libya was flawed.

Randy Cerveny was in Death Valley on July 10, participating along with other weather enthusiasts in a ceremony to recognize the century-old record. At least 140 people helped celebrate the occasion by traveling to Death Valley National Park to hear presentations by Cerveny and other weather experts.

"I was really happy looking out in that auditorium as we spoke. There were a lot of weather tourists who are very interested in this," said Cerveny.

The recognition ceremony and story of the recently-confirmed record were reported in several media:

• 100 years ago, Death Valley set a scorching record -- 134 degrees, CNN, July 11, 2013

• Death Valley: 100 Years As Earth's Hottest Spot, LiveScience, July 9, 2013

• Newsday, BBC World Service, July 10, 2013 (radio broadcast)

Cerveny is an Arizona State University President’s Professor in the School of Geographical Sciences and Urban Planning, and Rapporteur of Climate and Weather Extremes for the World Meteorological Organization. The School of Geographical Sciences and Urban Planning is an academic unit of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.