Antarctic Ozone Hole
Definition
The Antarctic ozone hole refers to a severe annual depletion of stratospheric ozone over Antarctica during Southern Hemisphere spring (September-November). It is primarily caused by human-made chemicals known as halocarbons or halons.
Analogy
Picture a giant hole forming in your umbrella while walking under heavy rain. The Antarctic ozone hole is like that hole in your umbrella - it allows more harmful UV rays to reach Antarctica during specific seasons.
Related terms
Polar Stratospheric Clouds: High-altitude clouds formed in extremely cold polar regions that contribute to chemical reactions leading to rapid ozone destruction.
Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP): A measure used to compare the potential for different substances to deplete stratospheric ozone; it quantifies how much damage a substance can cause relative to CFC-11 (chlorofluorocarbon-11).
Ozone Hole Recovery: The gradual healing and replenishment of the ozone layer, which is expected to occur as levels of ozone-depleting substances decrease in response to international agreements.
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