Browsing: Stratosphere

The stratosphere is the second major layer of Earth’s atmosphere, sitting just above the troposphere and below the mesosphere, spanning an altitude range of approximately 10 to 50 kilometers (6 to 31 miles). Known for its stable air, the stratosphere houses the ozone layer, which plays a crucial role in absorbing and protecting life on Earth from the Sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Unlike the troposphere, where temperature decreases with altitude, temperatures in the stratosphere increase with height, primarily due to the absorption of solar radiation by ozone molecules. This layer also plays an important role in long-range weather patterns and the dispersion of atmospheric pollutants.