News Earth

Ozone hole at smallest size in decades

Warm Antarctic temperatures help preserve UV-protecting layer

By Erin Wayman

- More than 2 years ago

There’s good news from Antarctica this fall: The seasonal hole in the ozone layer above the continent reached its smallest maximum extent and second smallest average in 20 years thanks to warm air temperatures.

SHRINKING OZONE HOLE On September 22 (right), the hole in the ozone layer (blue and purple) above Antarctica reached its smallest maximum size in two decades, covering 21.2