Antarctic Ozone Hole Shrinks to Smallest Size Since 2019, Scientists Say

Antarctic Ozone Hole Shrinks to Smallest Size Since 2019, Scientists Say
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The ozone hole over Antarctica this year was the smallest and shortest-lasting since 2019, The Guardian reported. Data from the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) shows the gap in the ozone layer reached a peak of 21 million sq km in September—well below last year’s maximum of 26 million sq km—before steadily contracting and closing earlier than usual on Monday. This marks the second consecutive year of smaller ozone holes following several larger, long-lasting ones recorded between 2020 and 2023.

CAMS director Laurence Rouil described the earlier closure and reduced size as a positive indicator of the ozone layer’s long-term recovery, crediting the improvement to global restrictions on ozone-depleting substances introduced under the 1987 Montreal Protocol and subsequent amendments.

Scientific assessments have shown that the phaseout of these chemicals has lowered harmful emissions and curbed their warming effect sooner than expected. The World Meteorological Organization estimates that Antarctic ozone levels could return to their 1980 baseline by 2066.

Researchers are still investigating why the holes from 2020 to 2023 were unusually large. Many scientists suspect that the 2022 Hunga Tonga volcanic eruption, which injected massive amounts of ash and water vapour into the stratosphere, contributed to the size of the 2023 hole. CAMS noted that recent large ozone holes underscore how severe global ozone depletion could have become without international action.

Increased ultraviolet radiation from depleted ozone can damage crops, raise skin cancer and cataract risks, and harm ecosystems. NASA and NOAA recently ranked the 2025 ozone hole as the fifth smallest since 1992. Paul Newman of NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center said current trends align with recovery predictions, though full restoration remains decades away.