Ozone hole over Antarctica grows to one of the largest on record, scientists say
The annual ozone hole that forms over Antarctica has ballooned to near- record size, scientists say. The annual ozone hole that forms over Antarctica has ballooned to near- record size, scientists say. Measurements from satellite imaging taken on Sept. 16 showed that the ozone depletion area had reached 26 million square kilometers -- roughly three times the size of Brazil, according to Copernicus, the European Union's Earth observation program. Every year, an ozone hole forms over the Antarctic due to the presence of ozone-depleting substances in the stratosphere and the specific conditions of the region, according to Copernicus. MORE: Ozone layer on track to recover within decades: 'We need to be vigilant' The size of the ozone fluctuates from August to October, typically reaching maximum depletion between mid-September and and mid-October. This year, the ozone hole got off to an early start and has grown "rapidly" since mid-August, "making it one of ...