NASA | Big Ozone Holes Headed For Extinction By 2040

NASA scientists predict that by 2040, the Antarctic ozone hole will be consistently smaller than 8 million square miles, marking a significant milestone. The ozone hole is a seasonal thinning of the ozone layer over Antarctica, influenced by man-made chemicals transported from the equator and trapped by polar vortex winds. Despite a decline in these chemicals due to the Montreal Protocol, they will persist in the atmosphere for years. Temperature variations affect the formation of ice clouds, which in turn influence ozone hole size. Using NASA's satellite data, scientists have gained a clearer understanding of chemical levels, allowing for confident future predictions.

What was the impact of the Montreal Protocol on ozone-depleting chemicals?

Describe the relationship between temperature and the size of the ozone hole.