This is the underground city where Australians escape the heat

July 2023 set a record and became the hottest month on Earth. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) warned that the heat wave is very likely to continue for the rest of August in the northern hemisphere.

Faced with this increasingly hot scenario, it may be necessary to consider ways to adapt daily life, one option is living underground. In cooper pedy, a mining town in South AustraliaAlmost 60% of the population is fleeing the high temperatures in underground structures.

The largest opal mines in the world are found in these countries and almost two-thirds of them 3,000 inhabitants They live on activities related to mining activities. In this area the summers reach 50°C and in winter 2°C, therefore they live underground, as excavations maintain a constant temperature between 19°C and 24°C.

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Above the surface, high summer temperatures can cause birds to fall from the sky and electronic devices to overheat. However, many residents built quite luxurious homes underground, with spacious living rooms and even swimming pools. Houses must be at least eight feet below ground level to prevent roof collapse.

Coober Pedy was founded at the turn of the last century, although Aboriginal people lived in the country for thousands of years. The name means “blank man hole”. On this site it is even possible to stay and do various tours.

Despite protection from extreme weather, living underground presents challenges. Building underground generally requires heavier and more expensive materials that can withstand underground pressure. Underground temperatures are also affected by what happens on the surface. For example, one study found that groundwater temperatures in cities have risen dramatically since the 1950s due to infrastructure that generates heat.

The challenge of living underground is not only physical, but also psychological. The thought of being locked in enclosed spaces can trigger claustrophobia and others mint health problemsHe. In addition, a lack of exposure to natural light can change the skin circadian rhythm, leading to sleep problems and other health problems.

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