Why is NZ UV so high?

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Why is NZ UV so high?

That factor alone means that the southern hemisphere summer will have 7\% more UV radiation than the northern hemisphere summer. Because ozone is generated at the equator, it gets transported to higher latitudes, and that transport is more efficient in the southern hemisphere, and that factor is about a 10\% effect.

What part of the world has the highest UV index?

On Dec. 29, 2003, a world-record UV index of 43.3 was detected at Bolivia’s Licancabur volcano. The UV index is used to forecast the strength of the sun’s ultraviolet rays.

Is New Zealand sun worse than Australia?

In terms of energy, the sun is stronger in Australia due to it being closer to the equator. But in terms of UV light which causes sunburn, it is stronger in New Zealand due to a thinner ozone layer, and less pollution (clearer air).

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Which country has the strongest sun?

Australia – where the Sun hits the hardest

  • Look at the bright red spots in the Pacific, mid-Atlantic and Australia where irradiance (the power of solar radiation) is highest.
  • Australia receives much more solar radiation than California or even the Mediterranean famed for its sunny summers and beautiful beaches.

Is the sun stronger in New Zealand?

Why does Australia have high UV levels?

During summer, the Earth’s orbit brings Australia closer to the sun (as compared to Europe during its summer), resulting in an additional 7\% solar UV intensity. Coupled with our clearer atmospheric conditions, this means that Australians are exposed to up to 15\% more UV than Europeans.

Why does NZ have no ozone layer?

Ozone concentrations measured over New Zealand are not affected directly by the ozone hole, which lies over Antarctica each spring. The ozone hole is an area where the ozone layer is less than 220 DU, caused mostly by ozone-depleting substances emitted by people.

Who has the harshest sun in the world?

The highest UVI of 25 was in the grid cell centred on Cuzco, in southern Peru (13.5° S, 3360 m a.s.l.). Peak values on the edge of the Antarctic Plateau also exceed the highest UVI in New Zealand, and are comparable to those at sea level in the tropics.

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Does Australia have highest UV?

Australia has some of the highest levels of UV radiation in the world – in fact, UV radiation is strong enough to cause sunburn in as little as 11 minutes on a fine summer day. UV radiation from the sun is also one of the best natural sources for vitamin D so a balance is important.

Is the sun stronger in New Zealand than Australia?

Why does Australia not have an ozone layer?

The stratospheric ozone layer absorbs the biologically damaging wavelengths of ultraviolet (UV) rays but in the 1970s, Australia’s ozone layer was severely thinned as a consequence of heavy use of ozone-depleting, substances such as chloroflurocarbons (CFCs) and hydro-chloroflurocarbons (HCFCs).

Where in the world is the ozone layer the thinnest?

The ozone layer is thinnest near the poles.

When are UV levels the highest in New Zealand?

In New Zealand, UV levels are highest during summer, but are also relatively high in spring and autumn. UV levels are higher in the north of the country. The tables below show the monthly mean and peak UV Index levels at solar noon, in five areas of New Zealand.

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Is a UV index of 12 bad?

Any reading higher than 10 is extreme in terms of skin-damage. The UV Index in the Mediterranean in high-summer reaches 9 or 10. The people in Florida are fried on a just a few days each summer when the index reaches 12. In New Zealand the summer index often exceeds 12.

What is the UV index of the Sun?

Definition: The UV Index is an international, scientific measure of the level of UV radiation from the sun. The UV Index is based on erythemally weighted irradiances (i.e. sun-burning irradiances), published by NIWA. The higher the number on the UV Index, the higher the radiation level.

Which countries have the highest UV levels for melanoma?

The following countries have higher UV levels: Peru, Bolivia, Chile and Argentina [ 3 ]. New Zealand’s high UV levels contribute to the country having one of the highest melanoma incidence rates in the world. Read the latest statistics about melanoma on the melanoma webpage.