Antarctica Today Many fields of science are studied in Antarctica today. The research of global climates, atmosphere and O-zone, Earth science, ice, magnetic movements, aurora, and the eco-system have been done in Antarctica for more than 40 years. New areas such as astrology and simulation of space life is thought to be opened in the future. Antarctica, as a continent of wonder, is believed that it holds the key for answers of important questions about the past, present, and our future. But to do so, we must never forget that it is infact a delicate continent which needs our support to remain as it is for many futures to come. Ozone Depletion & the Green-House Effect There are many issues concerned in Antarctica today. Two of them involves the whole world. Many scientists are currently studying the ozone layer as well as the greenhouse effect. The ozone layer is a layer of gas in the upper atmosphere of the earth. It blocks a lot of ultraviolet light that is harmful to the skin and could cause skin cancer. However the ozone layer over Antarctica is being destroyed. Scientists blame this destruction on Chlorofluorocarbons, or CFC's, used in aerosol sprays and in air conditioning systems. These CFC's can destroy the Ozone layer. But why is the hole over Antarctica and not over any other parts of the world? Over Antarctica, there is an isolated region in the atmosphere which moves in a circular motion called the polar vortex. Researchers believe that this causes a physical sink of gases in the stratosphere (region of atmosphere 20 to 50 km above ground). So all the gases float downwards toward Antarctica thus creating a hole above Antarctica. Another problem in Antarctica is the greenhouse effect. The earth is slowly heating up. The burning of fossil fuels causes air pollution to occur. This pollution blocks heat from exiting the earth's atmosphere. The heat is becoming trapped making the earth hotter and hotter over the years. Even a slight change in the earth's temperature will result in disaster. The reason is that the heat will eventually melt the huge ice caps in Antarctica and in the Arctic. If enough ice melts the ocean level will rise and will flood many cities and lowland areas. So many scientists are concerned and trying to figure out ways to stop this.