The Ozone Hole

Renowned atmospheric researchers confirm that Ozone levels vary by season and latitude. Sometime in 1979, it was observed that there was considerable Ozone depletion in the upper latitudes, Arctic and Antarctic. This massive stretch of ozone depletion (hole) is estimated to be about the size of America.

Particularly in the Antarctic, satellite images were released showing a disturbing thinning of the ozone layer. The phenomenon is what we usually call the Ozone hole, and it was most observed over the Antarctic every year during the spring.

In the winter, temperatures drop below -78°C (-109°F) in the Poles (Antarctic). Thin clouds form ice, nitric acid, and sulphuric acid mixtures. Chemical reactions on the surfaces of ice crystals in the clouds release active forms of CFCs. This sets the ozone depletion going by spring, a lot of depletion has occurred. During this recurrent springtime ozone hole, high levels of UV has been observed.

Why does the Ozone hole only occur in the Antarctic?

Researchers say it is not only in the Antarctic but in many places in other latitudes where the population is dense. It is believed that these places have cloud types that aid in the chemical reactions that cause ozone depletion.

In spring, temperatures begin to rise, the ice evaporates, and the ozone layer starts to recover.