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Aura/OMI Ozone Hole from September 12, 2004 to November 15, 2004 with Polar Vortex Demarcation

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. The location, size, and shape of the polar vortex is derived from potential vorticity data, PV. The PV, shown in white at 550 degrees Kelvin, is an atmospheric regional event that isolates polar air from the air at lower latitudes, producing conditions favorable for wintertime polar ozone depletion. The animation shows that most of the low-temperature and chemically-perturbed region is confined within the polar vortex during the Antarctic winter.


This animation shows Ozone over Antarctica between September 12, 2004 and November 15, 2004.    This animation shows Ozone over Antarctica between September 12, 2004 and November 15, 2004.
Duration: 31.0 seconds
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In 2004, the maximum ozone hole occurred on September 22, 2004.    In 2004, the maximum ozone hole occurred on September 22, 2004.

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This animation uses this colorbar. Low ozone levels, 125 DU, are shown in purple and high ozone levels, 435 DU, are shown in red.
   This animation uses this colorbar. Low ozone levels, 125 DU, are shown in purple and high ozone levels, 435 DU, are shown in red.

Available formats:
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  480 x 40           JPEG       4 KB
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Animation Number:3067
Completed:2004-11-30
Animators:Lori Perkins (NASA/GSFC) (Lead)
 Greg Shirah (NASA/GSFC)
 Stuart A. Snodgrass (GST)
Scientists:Mark Schoeberl (NASA/GSFC)
 Ernest Hilsenrath (NASA/GSFC)
 Anne Douglass (NASA/GSFC)
 Michelle Santee (NASA/JPL CalTech)
Platforms/Sensors/Data Sets:Aura/OMI
 Aura/MLS/Potential Vorticity
Data Collected:2004/09/12 - 2004/11/15
Series:Aura First Light
Goddard TV Tape:G2004-064
Keywords:
DLESE >> Atmospheric science
SVS >> Oxygen
SVS >> Ozone
GCMD >> Location >> Stratosphere
GCMD >> Location >> Troposphere
More Information on this topic available at:
http://www.nasa.gov/vision/earth/lookingatearth/aura_first.html
 
 
Please give credit for this item to:
NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center
Scientific Visualization Studio


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