The ozone layer
is about 7 to 25 miles
above the Earth’s
surface, and acts
as a “sunscreen”
for the planet.
It keeps out harmful
ultraviolet radiation
from the Sun
that has been
linked to
skin cancer,
cataracts,
immune system
suppression and
can also cause
damage to plants.
The National
Aeronautics
and Space
Administration
( NASA ),
says that Earth’s
ozone hole is now
the smallest it’s been
since it’s discovery.
Abnormally warm
weather patterns
in the upper
atmosphere
over Antarctica,
limited ozone
depletion in
September and
October 2019.
The result is the
smallest ozone hole
since 1982, NASA
and NOAA scientists
reported.
NASA says the hole
is smaller due to a
"rare event” --
warmer weather
patterns in the
upper atmosphere
( stratosphere )
over Antarctica.
“It’s a rare event
that we’re still trying
to understand,”
said Susan Strahan,
an atmospheric
scientist.
NASA satellite data
said he ozone hole
had shrunk
to 3.9 million
square miles.
The peak was
6.3 million
square miles on
September 8, 2019.
The ozone hole
is usually
8 million square
miles during
this time of year.