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News The Largest Ozone Hole Is Closed Now, And It's Not Because Of The Lockdown!
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The Largest Ozone Hole Is Closed Now, And It's Not Because Of The Lockdown!

Earlier this spring, scientists recorded the largest ozone hole over the Arctic and now it has healed and closed itself. Read on to know how it happened.

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By: Bayar Jain Published: Apr 28, 2020 12:17 PM IST

The Largest Ozone Hole Is Closed Now, And It's Not Because Of The Lockdown!
Photo Courtesy: Shutterstock

Earlier this spring, scientists recorded the largest ozone hole over the Arctic. This one million square kilometres hole has now healed itself, and the lockdowns in various parts of the world have nothing to do with it. Read on to know how it happened. By Bayar Jain

 

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The Earth’s ozone layer has been subject to expansive consequences of climate change, the largest of which was observed and recorded by scientists earlier this spring. Reportedly spread over one million square kilometres over the Arctic, the same has now closed.

Taking to its Twitter handle to confirm this good news, Copernicus ECMWF – a European satellite monitoring agency says, “Unprecedented 2020 northern hemisphere #OzoneHole has come to an end. The #PolarVortex split, allowing #ozone-rich air into the Arctic, closely matching last week’s forecast from the #CopernicusAtmosphere Monitoring Service.”

 

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As much as we would be tempted to credit the largely global lockdown for this healing, scientists say otherwise. In fact, it is believed that the polar vortex – which are altitudinal currents that bring cold air to the polar regions – is responsible for the healing of the layer. It says that the polar vortex this year has been extremely powerful and temperatures inside it have been very cold. Scientists, however, say it is still too early to attribute this phenomenon to climate change. On the flip side, they ascertain that reduced levels of pollution have not resulted in it.

Polar vortexes are large areas of low pressure and cold air which surround both the Earth’s poles. Although these polar vortexes are perennial, they usually weaken during the summer and strengthen in winter. The polar vortex in the Arctic is typically weaker due to the presence of nearby land and mountain ranges – both of which disturb the weather, especially when compared to its southern counterpart, the Antarctic.

Related: The Earth’s Ozone Layer Shows Improvement Amid Lockdown

Written By

Bayar Jain

Bayar Jain

Senior Content Manager

Equipped with a degree in Sociology (Honours) from the University of Delhi and a postgraduate diploma in English Journalism and Mass Communication from Xavier Institute of Communications, Mumbai, Bayar enjoys sharing stories of people, places, and different cultures. When not typing her travel tales, you can catch the hobbyist photographer capturing ..Read More

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