ozone hole

The ozone hole is a region over Antarctica where the ozone layer becomes severely depleted during certain times of the year. The ozone layer is a part of Earth's atmosphere that shields us from harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun. Human-made chemicals like chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) break down ozone molecules, especially in the cold stratosphere. When temperatures drop in Antarctica during winter, this leads to chemical reactions that greatly reduce ozone levels. The resulting "hole" allows more UV radiation to reach the Earth's surface, which can harm living organisms, including humans, animals, and plants.