News by Levels · Level 3 · Student worksheet

NOAA and NASA Report Large 2026 Antarctic Ozone Hole

In this lesson: Distinguish a seasonal mean from a daily maximum and assess evidence across timescales.

Name: __________________________ Date: __________________

Read the story

The Antarctic ozone hole ranked seventh-largest by seasonal average in 48 years of observations, NOAA and NASA reported on November 4. Its mean area between September 7 and October 13 was about 25 million square kilometres.

The agencies said an unusually strong polar vortex, a band of winds around Antarctica, helped maintain the cold conditions that favour ozone depletion. This year’s maximum daily extent was about 27.1 million square kilometres on September 18.

The stratospheric ozone layer helps shield life from ultraviolet radiation. Scientists say international controls on ozone-depleting chemicals continue to support its long-term recovery; the large hole in one season does not by itself reverse that trend.

Source: NOAA, 2026-11-04. https://www.noaa.gov/news-release/noaa-nasa-release-measurements-of-2026-ozone-hole

Read and practise

1. What does the 27.1 million square kilometre figure measure?

   1. The maximum area on a single day
   2. The average area across the whole season
   3. The mean area across 48 years

2. Why does the large hole not by itself overturn the recovery assessment?

   1. Recovery is judged only by the size measured on November 4.
   2. One season’s conditions differ from the long-term effect of chemical controls.
   3. The daily maximum alone proves recovery is complete.

Your turn

Explain why a headline quoting only the daily maximum could give an incomplete picture of this report.

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Read online: https://newsbylevels.com/news/antarctic-ozone-hole-2026-noaa-nasa-measurements-november/level-3/