Aura/OMI Ozone Hole from September 12, 2004 to November 15,2004

  • Released Monday, December 13, 2004
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Data from NASA satellites establishes a 40 year record of stratospheric ozone measurements. The stratospheric ozone layer shields life on Earth from harmful solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Research shows that excess exposure to UV radiation causes skin cancer and eye problems and impacts plant growth. Global stratospheric ozone has decreased by 3 percent globally between 1980 and 2000 and has thinned by 50 percent over Antarctica in winter and spring. Depletion of the ozone layer allows more UV radiation to reach the Earth's surface. This animation shows the ozone layer blocking harmful UV radiation from the Earth's surface. The hole in the ozone is seen in purple.

This animation shows the Antarctic ozone from September 12, 2004 to November 15, 2004. The maximum hole occurred on September 22, 2004. Purple areas purple show regions with low ozone and red areas show high ozone levels.

In 2004, the maximum ozone hole occurred on September 22, 2004.

In 2004, the maximum ozone hole occurred on September 22, 2004.

OMI Ozone ColorBar in Dobson Units

OMI Ozone ColorBar in Dobson Units

For More Information

See http://www.nasa.gov/vision/earth/lookingatearth/aura_first.html

Credits

Please give credit for this item to:
NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center Scientific Visualization Studio

This page was originally published on Monday, December 13, 2004.
This page was last updated on Wednesday, May 3, 2023 at 1:56 PM EDT.

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