2007 ozone hole ‘smaller than usual’

Ozone hole comparison over Antarctica measured in 2006 and 2007 by Envisat. The ozone loss in 2007 peaked at 27.7 million tonnes, compared to the 2006 record ozone loss of 40 million tonnes.

The ozone hole over Antarctica has shrunk 30 percent as compared to last year's record size. According to measurements made by ESA’s Envisat satellite, this year’s ozone loss peaked at 27.7 million tonnes, compared to the 2006 record ozone loss of 40 million tonnes.

Ozone loss is derived by measuring the area and the depth of the ozone hole. The area of this year’s ozone hole – where the ozone measures less than 220 Dobson Units – is 24.7 million sq km, roughly the size of North America, and the minimum value of the ozone layer is around 120 Dobson Units.
A Dobson Unit is a unit of measurement that describes the thickness of the ozone layer in a column directly above the location being measured. For instance, if an ozone column of 300 Dobson Units is compressed to 0º C and 1 atmosphere (the pressure at the Earth’s surface) and spread out evenly over the area, it would form a slab of ozone approximately 3mm thick.



Average ozone loss in September
Scientists say this year’s smaller hole – a thinning in the ozone layer over the South Pole – is due to natural variations in temperature and atmospheric dynamics (illustrated in the time series to the right) and is not indicative of a long-term trend.


Ozone hole monitoring in terms of ozone loss over the last 10 years

more:
http://www.esa.int/esaCP/SEM6MD7H07F_index_0.html

You just know that will be the spin. As I've tried to explain to some doubters, one year data is not proof of anything.

It proves that this year's ozone hole is 30% less than last year's.

No, it doesn't prove that global warming is a myth, but it does show a change. Hopefully, a trend. But we won't know til after a few more years of statistics and study, of course.

Global warming and ozone destruction are different phenomena (OK, not entirely, but close enough).

I do wonder if the smaller ozone hole is anomalous rather than the start of a new trend.

It shouldn't work, but it does. And yes, I think wingnuts like Rush do this on purpose.