The hole in the ozone layer this year is the largest in more than a decade: greater than the entire Antarctica

For several decades the hole in the south pole ozone layer has been one of the great environmental problems.Because of the enormous consequences, we have tried to reduce everything possible over the last years.While the trend shows that we are getting it, this year is bigger than usual, for more than a decade it was not so great.

The co -icernic satellites of the European Space Station constantly monitor the evolution of the hole and other details of both poles.This year the data they report are worse than usual, the hole is so large that it covers the entire surface of Antarctica and more.As a curiosity, two years ago the smallest hole of all ever registered was reported.

A large hole not seen since 2010

According to historical data, since 2010 the ozone layer hole had not been so great at this time of the year.With a size of approximately 22 million square kilometers, it is believed that it could still grow more in the coming weeks.The maximum peak is usually produced at the end of September or early October, with the arrival of spring to the southern hemisphere.

What is this about?There are several factors to take into account.One of them is that the ozone layer will weaken every year for a long period of time due to air pollution and meteorological factors.However, we can make the hole as small as possible.Another factor is the climatic conditions of the South Pole zone, conditions that this year have not helped reduce the hole.The polar vortex has been very strong this year and it seems that it will continue to be.

The use of certain chemicals for decades caused the ozone layer to weaken globally.This does not block ultraviolet radiation correctly and consequently the planet is heated more.While we have made a drastic change in the use of these chemicals, repairing the layer will take decades.

As a curiosity, last year we saw for the first time a hole in the similar ozone layer in the North Pole.Fortunately it closed just a few weeks later.

Via |The Guardian