High UV radiation over South America

The ozone hole forms a layer at high altitude in order to protect the surface of the Earth from aggressive UV-radiation. Where ozone is lacking the UV-radiation is very high. The evaluation of the ozone instrument GOMOS on board the environmental satellite ENVISAT helps to make almost real time UV-predictions. High UV-radiation over the equator is normal, as well as over the high plateaus of Tibet und Peru. The yellow spot over the southern end of Argentina is unusual. This extremely high UV-radiation emanates from the extension of a huge ozone hole with a center over the south pole and extending all the way to South America. It was taken in October, 2000. To effectively protect human skin from a UV-index of 15, a sun screen factor of 60 is required.
(courtesy KNMI)