The colder Antarctic winter drives formation of the hole in the South
The air inside the Antarctic polar vortex is much colder than midlatitude air. “When temperatures drop below -78°C, thin clouds form of ice, nitric acid, and sulphuric acid mixtures. Chemical reactions on the surfaces of ice crystals in the clouds release active forms of CFCs. Ozone depletion begins, and the ozone “hole” appears.
Year: 2007
From collection: Vital Ozone Graphics
Cartographer: Emmanuelle Bournay, GRID-Arendal