Climate change: Ozone hole over Antarctic ‘largest and deepest’ in recent years, scientists warn

https://www.independent.co.uk/environment/ozone-layer-hole-antarctica-maximum-2020-biggest-copernicus-skin-cancer-b829819.html?utm_source=Nature+Briefing&utm_campaign=90e86e2293-briefing-dy-20201007&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_c9dfd39373-90e86e2293-44992633



The ozone hole over the Antarctic is one of the largest and deepest in recent years. In this animation, the colours indicate the amount of ozone in millipascals (mPa) in the atmosphere, with levels below one mPa appearing transparent. Last year, the hole was particularly small; both extremes were due to specific meteorological conditions. This year, a particularly strong, stable and cold polar vortex of low pressure encouraged the build-up of ozone-destroying chemicals, says the European Commission’s Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS). The big hole “confirms that we need to continue enforcing the Montreal Protocol banning emissions of ozone depleting chemicals,” says Vincent-Henri Peuch, director of CAMS. (The Independent | 4 min read) (Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service, ECMWF)