Assimilated GOME total ozone 9 November 2001

Assimilated GOME total ozone on 9 November 2001. Scientists at KNMI (NL) in cooperation with ESA are tracking a mini ozone hole opening over the North Atlantic and heading for Europe. The KNMI scientists predict that the mini hole will see ozone levels fall to 60-70% of the seasonal average as it sweeps from Greenland to southern Scandinavia over the next few days. KNMI's unique GOME Fast Delivery Service, developed under the ESA Data User Programme, harnesses near real time processing of data from the GOME instrument aboard ERS-2. The scientists are able to monitor the loss of ozone in the atmosphere, and watch the mini hole as it moves and deepens hour by hour, in real time. In this world view the mini hole in the north, compared with the larger hole over the south pole, is clearly visible. Credit: KNMI/ESA