The ozone hole over Antarctica will reach its largest level in the last 10 years in 2026. The report published by NASA and the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) revealed that the depletion of the ozone layer has increased significantly this year.
According to scientists, the ozone hole has reached the seventh largest recorded in the 48-year history of observation. The polar vortex, which formed over Antarctica and became unusually strong this year, was effective in increasing ozone loss.
In 2025, the ozone hole remained at the fifth smallest level measured since 1992. This significant difference, which emerged within a year, brought the effect of atmospheric conditions on the ozone layer back to the agenda.
According to NOAA and NASA data, the ozone hole over Antarctica reached its widest level of the year on September 18, covering an area of approximately 27.2 million square kilometers.
This magnitude corresponded to approximately 90 percent of the largest ozone hole ever measured, recorded in 2000.
Scientists stated that one of the main reasons for this year's growth is that the polar vortex is stronger and wider than normal.
The polar vortex consists of powerful wind systems that trap cold air over Antarctica. The fact that this system remains effective for a long time causes the chemical processes that deplete the ozone layer to continue.
NOAA Chemical Sciences Laboratory researcher Amy Butler said that the large-scale atmospheric movements that normally weaken the polar vortex were quite weak in August and September.
Butler stated that this caused the polar vortex to grow unusually large.
SCIENTISTS: RECOVERY CONTINUES
Although the ozone hole has grown this year, scientists emphasized that the long-term recovery process of the ozone layer continues.
According to NASA and NOAA experts, international measures to limit the use of ozone-depleting chemicals have yielded positive results by reducing the amount of harmful substances in the atmosphere.
Paul Newman, senior scientist at the University of Maryland, stated that without the effect of these measures, the ozone hole could have been much larger.
Newman stated that if ozone-depleting substances in the atmosphere remain at their highest levels in 2000, the ozone hole in 2026 could be approximately 2.6 to 5.2 million square kilometers wider.
WHEN WILL THE OZONE LAYER RETURN TO ITS PREVIOUS STATE?
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and similar chemical compounds, which were widely used in the past, played an important role in the depletion of the ozone layer.
These substances have been used for many years in sprays, foam production, air conditioners and refrigerators. Chemicals released into the atmosphere caused the ozone molecules in the stratosphere to break down.
Largely restricting the use of these substances by international regulations allowed the ozone layer to renew itself.
Scientists expect the ozone layer over Antarctica to return to its previous levels in the 2070s as the old chemical compounds that continue to remain in the atmosphere break down over time.
Paul Newman said that the formation of the ozone hole later in the season in recent years is one of the important indicators of recovery.
HOW DOES THE OZONE HOLE AFFECT HUMAN HEALTH?
Contrary to popular belief, the ozone hole does not mean a physical gap in the atmosphere. This concept describes large regions in the Earth's stratosphere where ozone concentration has decreased significantly.
The ozone layer protects life on Earth by blocking a significant portion of harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays from the Sun.
The decrease in the amount of ozone causes the harmful UV rays reaching the earth to increase.
While this situation increases the risk of skin cancer and cataracts in humans, it can also damage agricultural production, plants and ecosystems.
Scientists emphasize that atmospheric conditions changing over the years can affect the size of the ozone hole, but long-term data show that the ozone layer continues to recover.
