The ozone layer or ozone shield is a region of Earth 's stratosphere that absorbs most of the Sun 's ultraviolet radiation. It contains a high concentration of ozone (O 3) in relation to other parts of the atmosphere, although still small in relation to other gases in the stratosphere.

4 days ago · View the latest status of the ozone layer over the Antarctic, with a focus on the ozone hole. Satellite instruments monitor the ozone layer, and we use their data to create the images that depict the amount of ozone.

Ozone (/ ˈ oʊ z oʊ n /) (or trioxygen) is an inorganic molecule with the chemical formula O 3. It is a pale blue gas with a distinctively pungent smell. It is an allotrope of oxygen that is much less stable than the diatomic allotrope O 2, breaking down in the lower atmosphere to O 2 .

Apr 2, 2025 · ozone layer, region of the upper atmosphere, between roughly 15 and 35 km (9 and 22 miles) above Earth’s surface, containing relatively high concentrations of ozone molecules (O 3).

Oct 19, 2023 · The ozone layer acts as a shield for life on Earth. Ozone is good at trapping a type of radiation called ultraviolet radiation, or UV light, which can penetrate organisms’ protective layers, like skin. This then may damage DNA molecules in plants and animals. There are two major types of UV light: UVB and UVA.

Mar 5, 2025 · Roots of ozone recovery. Within the Earth’s stratosphere, ozone is a naturally occurring gas that acts as a sort of sunscreen, protecting the planet from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet radiation. In 1985, scientists discovered a “hole” in the ozone layer over Antarctica that opened up during the austral spring, between September and ...

Dec 20, 2024 · Learn about the consequences of ozone depletion and UV-B for human health and the environment. Ozone-Depleting Substances. See a list of chemicals categorized as ozone-depleting substances (ODS) under the Montreal Protocol. Current State of the Ozone Layer. Learn about the recovery of the ozone layer.

The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer is a global agreement to protect the Earth’s ozone layer by phasing out the chemicals that deplete it. This phase-out plan includes both the production and consumption of ozone-depleting substances.

Mar 13, 2023 · Ozone is a gas present naturally within Earth’s atmosphere. It is formed of three oxygen atoms (giving it the chemical formula O3). Its structure makes it unstable: it can be easily formed and broken down through interaction with other compounds.

Mar 5, 2025 · Learn about the ozone layer and how human activities deplete it. This page provides information on the chemical processes that lead to ozone layer depletion, and scientists' efforts to understand them.