The ozone hole over Antarctica is slowly recovering, according to NASA & NOAA's long-term record. This year’s ozone hole was the 5th-smallest on record, reaching an annual maximum extent of 8.83 million square miles on Sept. 9, 2025. What we call the ozone hole is an annual thinning of Earth’s ozone layer over Antarctica every September. NASA and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) researchers monitor the growth and breakup of the ozone hole with instruments aboard the Aura, S

Earth’s ozone layer protects us from harmful solar radiation. Human activity, including use of ozone depleting compounds like some refrigerants, led to the Antarctic ozone hole. The 1987 Montreal Protocol phased down these compounds, leading to an improved ozone layer. NASA scientists work with other researchers around the world to monitor the health of the ozone layer and the size of the Antarctic ozone hole. https://go.nasa.gov/3eojsC8 #OzoneDay | NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center