Antarctic Ozone Hole Shows Improvement in 2024

The Antarctic ozone hole has shown signs of recovery in 2024, ranking as the seventh smallest since monitoring began in 1992, according to NOAA and NASA. The maximum extent of the ozone hole peaked at 8.5 million square miles in late September, significantly smaller than the larger holes observed in the early 2000s. This improvement is attributed to the global reduction of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) due to the Montreal Protocol, alongside an unexpected influx of ozone-rich air from the north. Despite this positive trend, scientists caution that the ozone layer remains far from fully recovering, with current concentrations at only 109 Dobson units compared to the 1979 levels of 225. Full recovery is expected by 2066, highlighting ongoing international efforts in addressing ozone depletion. The shrinking ozone hole still poses risks, including increased UV radiation exposure affecting both human health and wildlife in Antarctica.