Australia’s massive wildfires shredded the ozone layer — now scientists know why

Australia’s devastating wildfires earlier this year had far-reaching consequences that scientists are still studying. One unexpected side effect was the shredding of the ozone layer above the country. Now, researchers believe they have identified the cause. A study published in the journal Geophysical Research Letters found that intense heat from the fires caused nitrous oxide in the atmosphere to be released. This, in turn, led to a chemical reaction that damaged the ozone layer. The researchers say the findings could have implications for fighting climate change.

The study used data from NASA’s Aura satellite to measure nitrous oxide concentrations in the atmosphere over Australia during the wildfires, which ravaged huge swathes of the country, destroying homes, forests and wildlife.

While the impact of the wildfires on Australia’s ecosystems and communities was widely reported at the time, the impact on the ozone layer went largely unnoticed. This makes the new findings particularly important.

As climate change continues to fuel more frequent and intense wildfires globally, the new research suggests there could be significant knock-on effects for the atmosphere. It also highlights the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to prevent further damage to the planet’s protective ozone layer.

In short, this study reveals the hidden impact of Australia’s wildfires on the ozone layer and underscores the crucial role that scientists must play in tracking the complex interactions between Earth’s climate systems.