The total ozone maps are based on ground-based measurements available from the World Ozone and Ultraviolet Radiation Data Centre. Preliminary near real-time data from ground-based observations were also used for the most recent maps. Total ozone values are given in Dobson Units. The numbers represent observations taken from ground stations situated at the bottom left corner of the number.

Maps of deviations represent total ozone deviations from the 1978-1988 level estimated using Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer (TOMS) data for all areas except the Antarctic and from the pre-1980 level estimated using Dobson data over the Antarctic.

Over areas with poor data coverage adjustments are made according to TOMS on Nimbus-7, Meteor-3, ADEOS and Earth Probe satellites. Over the polar night area Dobson and Brewer moon observations and/or NOAA's TIROS Operational Vertical Sounder (TOVS) satellite data are used. TOVS data are also used when the more reliable TOMS data are not available. The mapping algorithm is similar to those used by the WMO Ozone Mapping Centre.

The Ozone Hole August 2012

The Ozone Hole September 2012

The Ozone Hole October 2012

• October 24,2012-From Discovery, To Solution, To Evolution: Observing Earth's Ozone Layer

• October 24,2012-2012 Antarctic Ozone Hole Second Smallest in 20 Years

• October 24,2012-NOAA, NASA: Antarctic ozone hole second smallest in 20 years

• September 18,2012-Watching the Ozone Hole Before and After the Montreal Protocol

• September 17,2012-Discovering the Ozone Hole: Q&A With Pawan Bhartia

• July 11,2012-2012’s ozone hole season starts

• June 12,2012-Air pollution may be driving expansion of tropics

• June 12,2012-Volcanic gases could deplete ozone layer

• April 12,2012-NOAA ice data support new discoveries in the Arctic Changes in sea ice drive ozone loss, mercury fallout

• March 27,2012- NRL Scientists Identify New Coupling Mode Between Stratosphere and Ionosphere

• January 18,2012-Low Temperatures Enhance Ozone Degradation above the Arctic

• Ozone Hole History

  • Ozone Hole Area Plots 1970-Present

  • Ozone Hole 1980-85

  • Ozone Hole 1986-90

  • Ozone Hole 1987

  • Ozone Hole 1988

  • Ozone Hole 1989

  • Ozone Hole 1990

  • Ozone Hole 1991

  • Ozone Hole 1992

  • Ozone Hole 1993

  • Ozone Hole 1994

  • Ozone Hole 1995

  • Ozone Hole 1996

  • Ozone Hole 1997

  • Ozone Hole 1998

  • Ozone Hole 1999

  • Ozone Hole 2000

  • Ozone Hole 2001

  • Ozone Hole 2002

  • Ozone Hole 2003

  • Ozone Hole 2004

  • Ozone Hole 2005

  • Ozone Hole 2006

  • OzoneHole 2007

  • Ozone Hole 2008

  • Ozone Hole 2009

  • Ozone Hole 2010

  • Ozone Hole 2011

    • 2011 the Year of Two Ozone Holes