Largest-ever hole in the ozone layer above Arctic closes

Team Udayavani, Apr 27, 2020, 11:59 AM IST

Amid Covid-19 lockdown, we have seen significant changes as nature is doing its best to heal itself. Now The largest hole in the Ozone layer spreading 1 million square kilometres above the Arctic has closed due to unusual atmospheric conditions.

European Satellite monitoring agency tweeted saying, “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.”

The 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.

More on the NH Ozone hole➡️https://t.co/Nf6AfjaYRi pic.twitter.com/qVPu70ycn4

— Copernicus ECMWF (@CopernicusECMWF) April 23, 2020

The hole was first identified by scientists in March earlier this year. It was thought be the result of low temperatures at the north pole. The hole would pose direct threat to human if it had moved further south.

However,  experts claim that the closing of the hole has nothing to do with the reduction in levels of pollution amid lockdown. It is because of the polar vortex, high-altitude currents that are responsible for bringing cold air to polar regions.