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GAPING HOLE

Is there a hole in the ozone layer, what exactly is causing its depletion and is the hole fixed?

The ozone layer is continuing to decline in certain areas of the world, scientists have found.

Issued by the University of Leeds, this image shows the hole in the ozone layer over Antarctica

THE hole in the ozone layer has been a concern among scientists for decades.

Here's everything you need to know about this worrying development.

 Issued by the University of Leeds, this image shows the hole in the ozone layer over Antarctica
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Issued by the University of Leeds, this image shows the hole in the ozone layer over AntarcticaCredit: PA:Press Association

Is there a hole in the ozone layer?

The ozone layer consists of gas, a form of oxygen, which floats about 15 miles above the surface of the Earth, protecting it from ultraviolet radiation.

But British scientists announced 30 years ago that it had begun to break up around the South Pole.

This could mean too much UV is let through putting humans and other animals at risk from skin cancer.

 This image provided by NASA shows the ozone layer in 1979 top left, 1989 top right, 2006 lower left and 2010 lower right
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This image provided by NASA shows the ozone layer in 1979 top left, 1989 top right, 2006 lower left and 2010 lower rightCredit: AP:Associated Press

What is causing depletion?

Chlorofluorocarbons, which were commonly used in aerosol cans in the 1980s, were thought to be the culprit.

The gases were thought to float up into the atmosphere and damage the ozone layer.

They have now been banned across the world.

Is the ozone hole fixed?

Some people think that the ban has helped halt the growth of the hole and has even begun to heal it.  

They think the hole in the ozone layer over the Antarctic could be gone by the middle of the century.

Others fear while it is shrinking it may take centuries to fix.

NASA video appears to show that the hole in the Ozone Layer is healing


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