How is stratospheric ozone created? 1 Ozone is formed in when sulfur and nitrogen oxides combine with water in the atmosphere.

2 Ozone created from NOx and VOC gases rise from low altitudes into the stratosphere and form the ozone layer.

3 Radiant energy from the sun breaks apart oxygen molecules freeing single oxygen atoms that recombine into ozone.

4 When ultraviolet radiation passes through a depleted ozone layer it acts on oxygen at ground levels creating ozone.