🌐 The ozone hole over Antarctica continues to shrink

• The ozone hole over Antarctica was the seventh smallest since 1992, with an area of 20 million square kilometers.
• International efforts to phase out ozone-depleting chemicals are showing measurable results.
• Scientists from NASA and NOAA estimate that the ozone layer could be fully restored by 2066.

Decreasing ozone hole confirms positive trend

NASA and NOAA's measurements show that the Antarctic ozone hole in 2024 was significantly smaller than in the early 2000s. During the period September 7 to October 13, when ozone depletion is most extensive, the seventh smallest ozone hole was measured since recovery began in 1992, NASA reports.

The Montreal Protocol, signed in 1987, has led to a dramatic reduction in global CFC emissions. The agreement meant that countries worldwide committed to replacing ozone-depleting chemicals with environmentally friendly alternatives before 2010. CFC compounds were previously found in refrigerators, air conditioning, hairspray, deodorants, and spray paints.

Detailed measurements show improvement

The lowest ozone concentration in 2024 was measured at 109 Dobson units on October 5. This can be compared to the lowest level ever at 92 Dobson units from October 2006.

The ozone hole reached its largest extent for the year on September 28 at 22.4 million square kilometers. Scientists use multiple systems to monitor the ozone layer. These include instruments on NASA's Aura satellite, NOAA-20 and NOAA-21 satellites, and the Suomi NPP satellite. NOAA also conducts measurements using weather balloons from the South Pole Baseline Atmospheric Observatory to observe ozone concentration directly above the South Pole.

Measurable results of international efforts

Paul Newman, leader of NASA's ozone research, confirms that the gradual improvement over the past two decades shows that international efforts to limit ozone-depleting chemicals are working.

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