Are there natural processes that cause ozone depletion at high altitudes?

Answer 1

Most ozone depletion occurs without the intervention of Man, or Man-sourced compounds. In roughly the order they destroy ozone, by volume / mass: # UV-B or more energetic radiation. # water vapor (which both blocks one path of ozone production by making NOx, and by adding a decay path by making H2O2). # time and temperature (ozone decays naturally). # compounds / elements that derive from natural sources (solar wind other than protons, volcanos et al, sea spray, and so on).

Answer 2

Yes, natural processes like volcanic eruptions and solar flares can lead to ozone depletion at high altitudes. In volcanic eruptions, sulfur dioxide and other gases can be emitted into the stratosphere, where they can react with ozone. Solar flares can also generate energetic particles that destroy ozone molecules in the upper atmosphere.