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MercoPress, en Español

Montevideo, March 29th 2023 - 14:02 UTC

Tag: ozone hole

  • Wednesday, October 14th 2020 - 09:26 UTC

    Ozone hole over Antarctica peaks at 24 million square kms, the highest for the last decade

    The 2020 ozone hole resembles the one from 2018, which also was a quite large hole, and is definitely in the upper part of the pack of the last fifteen years or so

    The annually occurring ozone hole over the Antarctic is one of the largest and deepest in recent years. Analyses show that the hole has reached its maximum size. The 2020 ozone hole grew rapidly from mid-August and peaked at around 24 million square kilometers in early October. It now covers 23 million km2, above average for the last decade, and spreading over most of the Antarctic continent.

  • Monday, January 29th 2018 - 10:22 UTC

    Ozone hole: NASA's satellite confirms 20% less depletion; recovery by 2080

    Antarctic ozone hole forms during September in the South Hemisphere winter as returning sun’s rays catalyze ozone destruction cycles of chlorine and bromine

    Scientists have shown through direct satellite observations of the ozone hole that levels of ozone-destroying chlorine are declining. Measurements show that the decline in chlorine, resulting from an international ban on chlorine-containing man-made chemicals called chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), has resulted in about 20% less ozone depletion during the Antarctic winter than there was in 2005, the first year that measurements of chlorine and ozone during the Antarctic winter were made by NASA's Aura satellite.

  • Friday, October 13th 2017 - 12:24 UTC

    Ozone layer threatened by compounds (from China) not currently regulated

    Scientists reported last year that they had detected the first evidence that the thinning of the protective ozone layer was diminishing.

    Rising global emissions of some chlorine-containing chemicals could slow the progress made in healing the ozone layer. A study found the substances, widely used for paint stripping and in the manufacture of PVC, are increasing much faster than previously thought. Mainly produced in China, these compounds are not currently regulated.

  • Tuesday, July 26th 2016 - 17:33 UTC

    A recent pause in Antarctic Peninsula warming

    BAS Dr Robert Mulvaney says: “meteorological observations from the Antarctic Peninsula research stations only cover the last 60 years or so”

    The rapid warming of the Antarctic Peninsula, which occurred from the early-1950s to the late 1990s, has paused. Stabilisation of the ozone hole along with natural climate variability were significant in bringing about the change. Together these influences have now caused the northern part of the peninsula to enter a temporary cooling phase.

  • Wednesday, September 16th 2015 - 08:29 UTC

    UN message on 30th anniversary of the convention for the protection of the ozone layer

    Together, we have succeeded in putting the stratospheric ozone layer on the road to recovery by the middle of this century, underlined Ban Ki moon

    Not so long ago, humanity stood on the brink of a self-inflicted catastrophe. Our use of ozone-depleting substances such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) had torn a hole in the ozone layer that protects us from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet radiation.

  • Wednesday, September 17th 2014 - 01:52 UTC

    UN hails progress achieved in reducing damage to the ozone layer

    ”Let us learn from this example and apply its lesson to the urgent task of addressing the climate challenge” said Ban Ki-moon

    United Nations officials hailed on Tuesday the progress made in reducing damage to the ozone layer and the vital role played by one of the most successful environmental treaties in history in phasing out ozone-depleting substances.

  • Tuesday, October 29th 2013 - 00:10 UTC

    Ozone hole slightly smaller than average this year, according to NASA

    Nasa satellite infrared picture of the south pole and the ozone layer hole

    The ozone hole that forms each year in the stratosphere over Antarctica was slightly smaller in 2013 than average in recent decades, according to NASA satellite data. The ozone hole is a seasonal phenomenon that starts to form during the Antarctic spring (August and September). The September-October 2013 average size of the hole was 8.1 million square miles (21 million square kilometers).

  • Thursday, October 25th 2012 - 23:48 UTC

    Antarctic ozone hole in 2012, the second smallest in the last 20 years, says NASA

    NASA images of the ozone hole over Antarctica

    The average area covered by the Antarctic ozone hole this year was the second smallest in the last 20 years, according to data from NASA and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) satellites. Scientists attribute the change to warmer temperatures in the Antarctic lower stratosphere.

  • Saturday, October 8th 2011 - 08:29 UTC

    Santiago de Chile is experiencing highest levels or solar radiation since 2008

    Besides smog in winter Santiago residents need protection from increasing harmful radiation

    Ultraviolet (UV) radiation has increased three points compared to last September in Santiago de Chile, according to a study released by Chile’s National Cancer Corporation (Conac) and the UV monitoring network of the Universidad de Santiago (USACH).

  • Wednesday, April 6th 2011 - 06:25 UTC

    Unprecedented damage to the ozone layer over the Arctic, says WMO

    Michel Jarraud, secretary-general of the World Meteorological Organization.

    The ozone layer has seen unprecedented damage in the Arctic this winter due to cold weather in the upper atmosphere. By the end of March, 40% of the ozone in the stratosphere had been destroyed, against a previous record of 30%.