Published • loading... • Updated
Ozone hole in 2026 is largest in a decade, but long-term recovery remains on track: Report
The hole covered 9.6 million square miles on average, and scientists said long-term recovery remains on track despite the larger size.
- NASA and NOAA reported the Antarctic ozone hole reached its largest extent in a decade, becoming the seventh largest in 48 years of monitoring.
- Unusually powerful polar vortex conditions allowed the hole to expand; planetary-scale weather systems were weak in August and September, said Amy Butler, a research scientist at the NOAA Chemical Sciences Laboratory.
- Satellite data confirmed the hole reached a peak one-day extent of 10.5 million square miles on Sept. 18, marking its greatest size for the year.
- Controls established by the Montreal Protocol continue to drive long-term recovery, ensuring the ozone layer remains on track despite this year's seasonal fluctuations.
- Senior NASA scientist Paul Newman noted the hole could have been 1 to 2 million square miles larger without ozone-protection efforts, as older compounds continue to disintegrate.
Insights by Ground AI
11 Articles
11 Articles
NOAA, NASA release measurements of 2026 ozone hole
Atypical weather conditions caused the Antarctic ozone hole to grow to an unusually large size in 2026, NOAA and NASA scientists reported today, though they said the protective ozone layer is still on track to recover by later this century.
·Douglas, United Kingdom
Read Full Article
Ozone hole in 2026 is largest in a decade, but long-term recovery remains on track: Report - Regional Media News
This year's ozone hole over the Antarctic was the largest in a decade, according to a new report by NOAA and NASA. The 2026 ozone hole became the seventh largest in 48 years of monitoring, fueled by an unusually powerful polar vortex which prolonged ozone [...]
Coverage Details
Total News Sources11
Leaning Left1Leaning Right1Center9Last UpdatedBias Distribution82% Center
Bias Distribution
- 82% of the sources are Center
82% Center
C 82%
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
