Why Is It So Much Cooler a Few Feet Underground in a Desert?

What Crafty Clover says in this video

Intro

Hi there, curious minds! I'm Crafty Clover! Let's discover something amazing. Why is it so much cooler a few feet underground in a desert?

The Big Idea

A few feet underground, a desert can be much cooler than the surface! Soil and sand are poor conductors of heat, so the Sun's warmth takes a long time to move downward. That makes burrows great hiding spots.

Sun Heats the Top

Step one: the Sun heats the top. Sunshine warms the very top layer of sand and soil. The top inch can be scorching hot.

Slow Heat Travel

Step two: heat travels slowly. Sand and soil are poor conductors, which means heat sinks through them very slowly. So the deeper you go, the less warmth arrives.

A Cool Burrow

Step three: a cool burrow. A burrow just two or three feet down stays much milder, and the cool earth holds moisture better. Many desert animals spend the hottest hours underground.

A Closer Look

Let's take a closer look! The surface can be scorching. The sand slows the heat on its way down. A burrow stays much milder. A small animal can rest there safely. Underground is nature's cooler.

Quick Facts

Quick facts! On a scorching day, a burrow can be 20 or more degrees cooler than the surface. Cool earth also holds more moisture. Many desert animals sleep underground by day. People should never dig deep holes or enter desert burrows, because animals live there.

Think Like a Scientist

Now, think like a scientist! With a grown-up, fill two cups with sand. Put a thermometer two inches deep in one, and on top of the other. Leave both in a sunny spot for an hour. Compare the numbers.

Outro

Underground the Sun's heat arrives slowly, so burrows stay cool. Science is amazing! Crafty Clover can be found on Amazon Books, Google Bookstore, and Apple Books. Available for purchase or download! Bye for now!