Dan Smale – The Conversation

September 25, 2026

September’s ozone hole was the biggest in 20 years. The warning signs appeared months ago

Hannah E. Kessenich, University of Otago; Annika Seppälä, University of Otago, and Dan Smale, Earth Sciences New Zealand

This spring’s ozone hole is likely to be among the top ten most severe of all time, bringing weather changes to New Zealand and Australia.

NASA via Getty Images

September 6, 2024

The ozone hole above Antarctica will keep opening up each spring for decades to come – here’s why that still matters

Laura Revell, University of Canterbury; Dan Smale, National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA), and Richard McKenzie, National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA)

More frequent wildfires, emissions from rocket launches and more satellite debris burning up in the atmosphere all contribute to ozone depletion and could slow the recovery of the ozone layer.

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