The ozone hole refers to the depletion of the ozone layer in the Earth's stratosphere, primarily over the Antarctic region. This phenomenon, first discovered in the 1980s, results from the release of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and other ozone-depleting substances (ODS). These chemicals break down ozone (O3) molecules, reducing the layer's ability to filter harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun.
