Ozone Depletion

Definition

Ozone depletion refers to the thinning of the ozone layer in Earth's stratosphere due to the release of certain chemicals like CFCs and halons. This thinning allows more harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun to reach the Earth's surface.

Related terms

Ultraviolet (UV) Radiation: A type of electromagnetic radiation emitted by the sun that is invisible to human eyes but can cause damage to living organisms and materials.

Stratosphere: The second major layer of Earth's atmosphere located above the troposphere. It contains most of the ozone layer and extends approximately 10-50 kilometers above sea level.

Ozone Hole: A region with significantly depleted levels of ozone in a specific area, often observed over Antarctica during certain times of the year due to chemical reactions involving CFCs.