Hole in the ozone layer is starting to form exceptionally early this year: “it is already 16 million square kilometers” | Science & Planet

The ozone layer is located in the stratosphere at an altitude of about 15 to 35 kilometers above the Earth’s surface and contains a relatively high concentration of ozone. This layer acts as a natural barrier by absorbing most of the sun’s UV radiation before it reaches the Earth’s surface. This is essential for protecting life on our planet. In the 1980s, research revealed that there was a rapid thinning of the ozone layer due to human activities, particularly the use of CFCs and other ozone-depleting substances. This led to the creation of the Montreal Protocol in 1989, an international agreement to reduce and ban the use of ozone-depleting substances.

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During the southern hemisphere spring (August – October), the ozone hole develops over Antarctica, peaking between mid-September and mid-October. Afterwards, the rising temperature in the stratosphere slows down ozone depletion. In general, ozone levels are back to normal between mid-November and mid-December. The degree of ozone depletion depends on the concentration of ozone-depleting substances and the temperature in the stratosphere.

In recent weeks, the ozone hole has begun to expand rapidly, growing faster than in previous years. The development of the ozone hole in 2023 is among the top 10 in August since measurements began 43 years ago. So far, the development of the ozone hole in 2023 is one to two weeks ahead of the average of the past 43 years.

Some scientists suspect that this year’s unusual pattern is related to the eruption of the Hunga-Tonga volcano in January 2022, which released unprecedented amounts of water vapor into the stratosphere. On the one hand, the increased amount of water vapor may lead to an enhanced formation of polar stratospheric clouds on which CFCs can act to accelerate ozone depletion. In addition, the water vapor may contribute to cooling the Antarctic stratosphere, which may enhance the formation of these polar stratospheric clouds and result in a more powerful polar vortex.

In recent years, ozone holes have been among the largest and longest-lasting on record. In 2020, 2021 and 2022, the ozone hole reached its maximum size later than usual, around the end of September, and remained open until late December. Research shows that this may be explained by an inverse relationship between the temperature in the stratosphere and the size of the ozone hole. Global warming has a cooling effect in the upper layers of the atmosphere, and lower stratospheric temperatures contribute to the creation of these large, long-lasting ozone holes. For now, it is unclear whether this early start will also lead to a larger and longer-lasting ozone hole.

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