NASA has shown that the hole in the ozone layer over Antarctica is the smallest it has been in decades, but it has nothing to do with human efforts.
Reason for the Smaller Size this Year
During September and October, the ozone hole over the Antarctic has been the smallest observed since 1982.The annual ozone hole reached its peak extent of 16.4 million sq km on September 8, then shrank to less than 10 million sq km for the remainder of September and October.
There have been abnormal weather patterns in the atmosphere over Antarctica. In warmer temperatures like this year, fewer polar stratospheric clouds form and they don’t persist for long, thereby limiting the ozone-depletion process.
While it is good news, NASA has cautioned it is important to recognise that what we are seeing this year is not a sign that atmospheric ozone is suddenly on a fast track to recovery.
