Amber on Ice

01 November - Happy November everyone. My half-way point is fast approaching : )

A science group out of the University of Wyoming is down here with NASA and NOAA studying the ozone layer. They study the ozone hole by releasing balloons into the atmosphere with recording devices attached; along with using lasers. What they've found has been disheartening to say the least.

1. The ozone hole in the Southern Hemisphere has reached an all time record in terms of size, presently recorded at: 29.5 million square kilometers. An area that spans the entire Antarctic Continent, spilling over into Australia and South America.

2. Vertical disappearance of ozone is even more pronounced this year than in year's past; particularly between 14-22 kilometers above the Earth. The Scientists indicate there is a huge section vertically that has been depleted to zero.

The ozone hole over the Antarctic forms between August-November each year; a smaller but similar hole develops over the Arctic every spring. The Scientists expect the ozone holes to continue for the next several years. Estimates for recovery of these holes run between 2040-2080.