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Updated: May 28, 2026
06:27
Measurement of Aerosols Optical Thickness of the Atmosphere using the GLOBE Handheld Sun Photometer
Published on: May 29, 2019
Unprecedented Arctic ozone loss in 2011.
Gloria L Manney1, Michelle L Santee, Markus Rex
1Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California 91109, USA. Gloria.L.Manney@jpl.nasa.gov
Nature
|October 4, 2011
Summary
For the first time, Arctic chemical ozone destruction in 2011 was comparable to the Antarctic ozone hole. Unusually cold Arctic conditions caused unprecedented ozone loss, showing Arctic ozone holes are possible.
Area of Science:
- Atmospheric Chemistry
- Stratospheric Science
- Ozone Layer Research
Background:
- Chemical ozone destruction impacts polar regions annually during winter-spring.
- Antarctic ozone depletion results in a yearly ozone hole.
- Arctic ozone loss has historically been variable and less severe.
Observation:
- In early 2011, chemical ozone destruction in the Arctic reached levels comparable to the Antarctic ozone hole.
- Persistent cold temperatures in the Arctic lower stratosphere were observed.
- This led to enhanced levels of ozone-destroying chlorine compounds.
Findings:
- Unprecedented ozone loss exceeding 80% occurred between 18-20 km altitude in the Arctic.
- Arctic ozone holes are possible even under milder temperature conditions than those in Antarctica.
- The 2011 event marks a significant shift in observed Arctic ozone depletion.
Implications:
- The findings highlight the potential for severe Arctic ozone depletion events.
- Predicting future occurrences of comparable Arctic ozone loss remains challenging.
- This research underscores the vulnerability of the Arctic ozone layer to specific meteorological conditions.
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