Space
NASA, NOAA Reveal Massive 2026 Ozone Hole, Twice U.S. Size, 10.5 Million Square Miles
Washington, DC – Scientists are reporting one of the largest Antarctic ozone holes ever measured, with new findings released Wednesday revealing that the protective atmospheric layer experienced unusu
By Tessa Morgan · 2026-11-04T17:26:08.218Z
Washington, DC – Scientists are reporting one of the largest Antarctic ozone holes ever measured, with new findings released Wednesday revealing that the protective atmospheric layer experienced unusually extensive depletion in 2026, although long term recovery remains on track.
According to NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration NOAA , the Antarctic ozone hole ranked seventh largest in 48 years of monitoring, driven by unusually powerful atmospheric conditions over the South Pole.
Between Sept. 7 and Oct. 13, the ozone hole averaged approximately 9.6 million square miles, more than twice the area of the United States.
Its maximum size reached 10.5 million square miles on Sept. 18, approximately 90% of the largest ozone hole ever recorded in 2000.
Scientists attribute this year's unusually large ozone hole to a powerful polar vortex.
The seasonal circulation of extremely cold air surrounding Antarctica created conditions favorable for ozone destruction, allowing depletion to spread across a larger region.
Researchers emphasized that the findings do not mean decades of international environmental protections have failed.
NASA scientist Paul Newman said the hole could have been another 1 million to 2 million square miles larger without reductions in ozone destroying chemicals.
Those reductions resulted largely from the 1987 Montreal Protocol, an international agreement restricting substances once commonly used in refrigeration, air conditioning and insulation.
NOAA measurements found ozone concentrations over the South Pole dropped to 105 Dobson units Oct. 17, compared with the record low of 92 units recorded in 2006.
The ozone layer protects life on Earth by absorbing harmful ultraviolet radiation from the sun.
Scientists say chlorine levels linked to ozone depleting substances have declined substantially since their peak.
Despite this year's unusually large ozone hole, NASA and NOAA expect continued recovery, with the Antarctic ozone hole projected to recover by the 2070s.
Researchers will continue monitoring atmospheric conditions through satellites and South Pole instruments.