Antarctic ozone hole becomes 7th largest in history

The Antarctic ozone hole became the seventh-largest in 48 years of monitoring in 2026, covering an average 25 million sq km during peak depletion. NASA and NOAA attributed its size to an unusually strong polar vortex. However, scientists said the ozone layer remains on track for recovery, aided by the 1987 Montreal Protocol, which helped phase out many ozone-destroying chemicals.