DATA AS ART #06

Ozone Hole

The discovery of the Antarctic Ozone Hole is one of the most important scientific papers of recent decades.

The discovery, in 1985, by British Antarctic Survey scientists Joe Farman, Brian Gardiner and Jonathan Shanklin, led to the hugely succesful Montreal Agreement, proving that science can influence society and change the way we view our fragile planet.

This artwork represents 30 years of data collected since the discovery, showing the extent of the Antarctic Ozone Hole and its changing position over the South Pole. Each circle marks the year’s maximum area with a recorded value below 220 Dobson Units, the official designation for an ozone hole.

Data source:
Dr Jonathan Shanklin
Emeritus Fellow
British Antarcic Survey