The Antarctic Ozone Hole
Soon after the sunlight returns to the Antarctic after its long winter,
the ozone hole begins to form. This is a pronounced minimum in stratospheric
ozone concentration (measured in a unit called Dobson
Units) nearly centered over the South Pole. Depletion is most pronounced
in October, during the Antarctic's spring season.
A map of October 1987 Antarctic Ozone
This picture was taken with TOMS, the Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer.
Note the smallest values of ozone are located over the pole. Click
on the figure to enlarge.
Yearly Averages of October Antarctic Ozone, 1956-94
Note the disturbing recent downward trend in ozone concentration.
Click on the figure to enlarge.
More information
For source of the two images shown above,
click here.
The TOMS home page
Go back to home page
