Antarctic Ozone Hole Widens
Explanation:
It's back, and it's bigger than ever. The
ozone hole that has been a cause of
concern in recent years has again
reformed over
Earth's South Pole.
The seasonal
recurrence
of the
ozone hole was expected, although the size of the
hole has never been so large this early in the season.
Ozone is important because it shields us from damaging
ultraviolet sunlight. Ozone is vulnerable, though, to
CFCs and halons being released into the atmosphere.
The
ozone hole's large size is probably
related to unusually low temperatures,
allowing CFC byproducts like
chlorine to react with
atmospheric ozone molecules with greater efficiency.
In the
above false-color picture taken earlier this month, low
ozone levels are
shown
in red and grey.
Authors & editors:
Robert Nemiroff
(MTU) &
Jerry Bonnell
(USRA)
NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings,
and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris.
Specific
rights apply.
A service of:
LHEA at
NASA /
GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
