2025 Antarctic ozone hole is the 5th smallest since 1992, signals continued global ozone recovery

Despite the successes, remnants of the banned substances continue to exist in older products like insulation and landfills. It is noted that as these legacy emissions decrease, projections suggest a recovery of the ozone hole around the late 2060s. (Image: NASA)

The Antarctic ozone hole, in 2025, was measured as the fifth-smallest since 1992, according to the NOAA-NASA analysis published on November 24. The development confirms that the ongoing controls established by the Montreal Protocol, the international agreement aimed at phasing out ozone-depleting substances, and its amendments have positively influenced the gradual healing of the ozone layer.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is an American agency that is responsible for monitoring weather, forecasting, and managing and protecting coastal and marine ecosystems and resources.  The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) provides advanced information on weather and collects critical information about changes happening in the Earth’s atmosphere.

Positioned in the stratosphere at altitudes of 9–22 miles above Earth, the ozone layer is crucial for shielding humans from harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation, specifically UVB, which is linked to skin cancers and affects marine ecosystems and plant life.

The assessment states that the ozone layer is expected to fully recover by the end of the century, a promising outlook resulting from the global commitment made in 1987 under the Montreal Protocol that has been ratified by all United Nations member states.