The colors in the temperature map image that scientists released Thursday were arbitrarily chosen to show these intensity variations, Lawrence said.

CNN: Better 'baby picture' of universe emerges

The Aon 2013 Terrorism and Political Violence Map, released on Wednesday, looks at 200 countries and is used as a gauge for the overall intensity of the risk of terrorism and political violence to business in each country.

FORBES: On Political Risk & Terrorism, U.S. Riskier Than Botswana