The ozone layer lies in the stratosphere, which absorb the majority of harmful UV radiation from the sun. Sunlight is reflected in every direction by the gases present in the atmosphere. Like the other atmospheric layers, it does not have a fixed height but starts at an altitude of approximately 10 km(6 miles), extending up to a height of roughly 50 km(30 miles). The QBO induces a secondary circulation that is important for the global stratospheric transport of tracers, such as ozone[14] or water vapor. Here are 50 Interesting facts about the atmosphere that you probably didnt know. The stratosphere ( / strtsfr, - to -/) is the second layer of the atmosphere of the Earth, located above the troposphere and below the mesosphere. I would definitely recommend Study.com to my colleagues. The ozone layer is a layer of gas within the stratosphere that protects the Earth's surface from harmful ultraviolet sun rays. The atmosphere is a layer of gases retained by gravity on the earth. Temperature decreases with height throughout the mesosphere. Most turbulence at this altitude is caused by variations in the jet stream and other local wind shears, although areas of significant convective activity (thunderstorms) in the troposphere below may produce turbulence as a result of convective overshoot. The stratosphere is where youll find the very important ozone layer. 14. An increase of altitude in the troposphere makes temperatures decrease, which is why it is much colder on the top of a mountain than on sea level. Polar stratospheric clouds (PSCs) are the exception. In addition, solar proton events can significantly affect ozone levels via radiolysis with the subsequent formation of OH. It is enough to cover the entire earths surface with 1 cm of rain. We take a closer look at the stratosphere and its defining characteristics. 4 34. Ozone layer (highest concentration of ozone in the atmosphere) The ozone layer is a thin layer of the stratosphere made of a gas called ozone. The exosphere gradually fades away into the realm of interplanetary space. Just above that is the stratosphere, the area of the atmosphere where passenger airplanes and weather balloons fly. A rare type of electrical discharge, somewhat akin to lightning, occurs in the stratosphere. 2. However, this feature allows commercial airliners to fly in the lower stratosphere while traveling faster and save fuel. Facts About The Exosphere: The Outermost Layer Of The Atmosphere. This material is based upon work supported by the National Center for Atmospheric Research, a major facility sponsored by the National Science Foundation and managed by the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research. It is the only atmospheric layer where temperature inversion occurs and the region where the ozone layer is situated. Never miss out again when another interesting and helpful article is released and stay updated, while also receiving helpful tips & information by simplyclicking on this link .Until next time, keep your eye on the weather! During northern hemispheric winters, sudden stratospheric warmings, caused by the absorption of Rossby waves in the stratosphere, can be observed in approximately half of winters when easterly winds develop in the stratosphere. It contains most of our Earth's water vapour, and is 78% nitrogen and 21% oxygen. 25. Airplanes fly in the stratosphere to avoid turbulence. It extends upward to a height of about 85 km (53 miles) above our planet. Its depth also varies from 5.5 to 20 miles depending on latitude as well. However, temperature increases with altitude in the stratosphere, which is opposite from the troposphere. We are not permitting internet traffic to Byjus website from countries within European Union at this time. Air pollution causes the demolition of the ozone belt, and without it, the earth would be exposed to the deadly ultraviolet rays in the sun. The particles in the exosphere do not behave like gases. The stratosphere is a layer of Earth's atmosphere. 3 It borders the stratosphere below through a thin transitional space called the stratopause. 6. 9. The ozone layer is situated within this layer. Stratosphere is the second layer. Just like the troposphere, its depth varies with latitude. There is very little water vapor in this layer of the atmosphere, so clouds are a rare occurrence. The atmosphere comprises five layers: troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere and exosphere. It has a very important job: to protect us from harmful energy from the Sun, called radiation. Earth's atmosphere has six layers: the troposphere, the stratosphere, the mesosphere, the thermosphere, the ionosphere, and the exosphere. Radicals produced from the homolytically split oxygen molecules combine with molecular oxygen to form ozone. The stratosphere is one of five layers of the earth's atmosphere. The stratosphere is very dry air and contains little water vapor. Stratospheric circulation is a predominantly wave-driven circulation in that the tropical upwelling is induced by the wave force by the westward propagating Rossby waves, in a phenomenon called Rossby-wave pumping. While common in the troposphere, very little convection takes place in the stratosphere. 18. 4. 3090 Center Green Drive, Boulder, CO 80301, Virtual Ballooning to Explore the Atmosphere, ACOM | Atmospheric Chemistry Observations & Modeling, CISL | Computational & Information Systems, EdEC | Education, Engagement & Early-Career Development, Government Relations & External Engagement. Ozone in turn is photolysed much more rapidly than molecular oxygen as it has a stronger absorption that occurs at longer wavelengths, where the solar emission is more intense. Just like the troposphere, its depth varies with latitude. copyright 2003-2023 Study.com. The definition of the stratosphere is the second layer of the atmosphere, extending from about 6 miles to 30 miles, or 10km to 50km, above the Earth's surface. Convection is the process whereby warm air rises and cooler air descends. The atmosphere has nearly 37.5 million billion gallons of water at any given time. Clouds form when water vapor condenses into a liquid, and with very little water, vapor condensation is virtually impossible. Any opinions, findings and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation. Its like a teacher waved a magic wand and did the work for me. She has taught in K-12 for more than 15 years, and higher education for ten years. The atmosphere has nearly 37.5 million billion gallons of water at any given time. The latter value is about halfway to the Moon! Strat means layer. It sets it apart from the other atmospheric layers by temperature rising instead of dropping as altitude increases, a process called temperature inversion. This is exactly the opposite of the behavior in the troposphere in which we live, where temperatures drop with increasing altitude. These free-moving elements continuously escape into space due to ballistic trajectories. Another large-scale feature that significantly influences stratospheric circulation is the breaking planetary waves[15] resulting in intense quasi-horizontal mixing in the midlatitudes. Earth's atmosphere has a series of layers, each with its own specific traits. It is possible to send research balloons into the stratosphere. 2 It extends from a height of approximately 65 km (40 miles) to 85 km (53 miles) above the Earth's surface. This layer of Earth's atmosphere is about 319 miles (513 kilometers) thick. Once you leave the stratosphere, and enter the mesosphere, the temperature dramatically decreases until plummeting to around -184 degrees Fahrenheit. There are no storms or turbulence here to mix up the air, so cold, heavy air is at the bottom and warm, light air is at the top. Atmosphere facts: ninety-nine percent of the gases that compose the atmosphere are located below a height of 32 km (20 miles). They result from ionized particles from the sun striking the upper atmosphere above the poles. Stratosphere - The Stratosphere makes up around 25% of the total of Earth's atmosphere, and is home to more than 90% of our Earth's O-Zone layer. Planes fly in the stratosphere to avoid turbulence and fly longer distances using less fuel. The image above illustrates the layers of Earth's atmosphere and their approximate distances from the Earth's surface. [7] Molecular oxygen absorbs high energy sunlight in the UV-C region, at wavelengths shorter than about 240nm. It is the only atmospheric layer where temperature inversion takes place. This is the opposite of what happens in the troposphere, where an increasing altitude yields a decrease in temperature. Autumn Skies Online Pty Ltd is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. The stratosphere extends from the tropopause at about 10 to 17 km (about 6 to 11 miles) altitude to its upper boundary (the stratopause) at . Planes that are low on fuel also fly at this altitude because they can cover more distance than in the troposphere while using less fuel and encountering less turbulence. Since the stratosphere has increasing temperature with elevation, convection is very rare. The stratosphere is the second layer of the atmosphere, in between the troposphere and the mesosphere. The atmosphere is dense near the surface of the Earth and protects life on the planet Earth. The coldest temperatures in Earth's atmosphere, about -90 C (-130 F), are found near the top of this layer. Air density in this layer gradually decreases as you go higher. stratosphere The atmospheric layer above the troposphere, which extends on average from about 10 to 50 km above the Earth's surface. For years, CFCs - a chemical used in aerosols - were transported the stratosphere via convection and became trapped there. Along with the neutral upper atmosphere, the ionosphere forms the boundary between Earth's lower atmosphere where we live and breathe and the vacuum of space. A two-step reactive mechanism produces ozone in the stratosphere naturally. Troposphere - The lowest level of our atmosphere is called the Troposphere. The ozone layer is very important, as it protects life on Earth from the majority of the UV rays emitted from the sun. Stratosphere. Due to this effect, temperatures in the stratosphere actually increase from about negative {eq}60 {/eq} F up to about negative {eq}5 {/eq} F with altitude. The temperatures in the ozone belt are higher than in the troposphere since the ozone absorbs the ultraviolet rays. Within no time, the vapor from the exhaust freezes and turns visible. The stratosphere is a layer of extremely stratified air that rises 40 kilometres above the tropopause and comprises about 20% of the atmosphere's mass. Earth's atmosphere has a series of layers, each with its own specific traits. The stratosphere is a major stable layer whose base is marked by the tropopause, and where temperatures overall average approximately 60 C.Temperature in the lower stratosphere is isothermal but increases markedly in the upper part, to reach a maximum of . Create an account to start this course today. [4] Temperatures range from an average of 51C (60F; 220K) near the tropopause to an average of 15C (5.0F; 260K) near the mesosphere. The atmosphere comprises five layers: troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere and exosphere. There are some species of birds capable of flying in the stratosphere. . [18] When the vortex is strong, it keeps the cold, high-pressure air masses contained in the Arctic; when the vortex weakens, air masses move equatorward, and results in rapid changes of weather in the mid latitudes.