Hole in the ozone layer

It seems ridiculous to me that the chemical precursors that eat ozone generated over the populated portions of the world eat a hole in the ozone over Antarctica. Look at any globe. At least 70% of the earth's land mass is north of the equator. Further 90% of the industrialized societies are north of the equator. But somehow those pesky precursors found their way to Antarctica.  Perhaps these academics looking at the globe decided gravity pulled them to the bottom of the world.

Anyone with common sense (which doesn't always include academics) knows gravity pulls to the center of the earth. So, why the hole over Antarctica? Is it that the southern hemisphere doesn't generate enough ozone.  No scientific reason to suspect that cause. An almost comic suggestion is a windless vortex that draws these precursors into the thin air over Antarctica.

The answer came from Antarctic's wildlife. Shortly after the hole was discovered researchers found Antarctica's wildlife had migrated to a new location. This new location was generating warm water causing an explosion in plankton growth. The wildlife quickly took up residence at this new buffet.

The warm water's source? A volcano erupting in the ocean under the icecap. A volcano will produce more ozone eating precursors in a week than all the cars in California in a year. These precursors being gaseous, percolate through the water and the snow overburden (icecap). The air over Antarctica is thin and chemically stable.  These precursors do not find bonding elements until they reach the ozone layer.

Wallah, a buffet for precursors. By the way the hole has nearly closed.  The volcano has almost gone dormant. Since it is closing it can't be use it to predict dire circumstances.  I bet you have wondered why nothing has been said lately about the hole. Now you know.