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. This vertical stratification, with warmer layers above and cooler layers below, makes the stratosphere dynamically stable: there is no regular convection and associated turbulence in this part of the atmosphere. Stratosphere is the second layer. The photosynthesis process enables plants to take up carbon dioxide and release oxygen into the atmosphere. The mesosphere is the third layer of the atmosphere (above the troposphere and stratosphere.) This layer holds 19 percent of the atmosphere's gases but very little water vapor. The troposphere, the lowest layer, is right below the stratosphere. 4. Ionization takes place in the ionosphere caused by the suns radiation. [21] Bar-headed geese (Anser indicus) sometimes migrate over Mount Everest, whose summit is 8,848m (29,029ft). The air in the stratosphere is extremely thin, which makes it impossible to breathe at this level. The atmosphere has nearly 37.5 million billion gallons of water at any given time. These are generated when cold atmospheric air blends with the hot, humid exhaust. Moreover, meteorites falling over the earth burn in this layer. The biosphere extends from the deepest root systems of trees, to the dark environments of ocean trenches, to lush rain forests, high mountaintops, and transition zones like this one, where ocean and terrestrial ecosystems meet. Clouds form when water vapor condenses into a liquid, and with very little water, vapor condensation is virtually impossible. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'ownyourweather_com-large-billboard-2','ezslot_3',116,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-ownyourweather_com-large-billboard-2-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'ownyourweather_com-large-billboard-2','ezslot_4',116,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-ownyourweather_com-large-billboard-2-0_1');if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'ownyourweather_com-large-billboard-2','ezslot_5',116,'0','2'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-ownyourweather_com-large-billboard-2-0_2');if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'ownyourweather_com-large-billboard-2','ezslot_6',116,'0','3'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-ownyourweather_com-large-billboard-2-0_3'); .large-billboard-2-multi-116{border:none !important;display:block !important;float:none !important;line-height:0px;margin-bottom:3px !important;margin-left:auto !important;margin-right:auto !important;margin-top:3px !important;max-width:100% !important;min-height:250px;min-width:300px;padding:0;text-align:center !important;}Recent Posts, Copyright 2023 by Own Your Weather. 24. The thermosphere is home to the International Space Station as it orbits Earth. It keeps us warm, it gives us oxygen to breathe, and its where our weather happens. One of the most surprising things about the stratosphere is not its characteristics but about what you find in this layer. Large volcanic eruptions and major meteorite impacts can fling aerosol particles up into the stratosphere where they may linger for months or years, sometimes altering Earth's global climate. Close to the tropopause, temperatures start at approximately -51 Celsius (-60 Fahrenheit) and continue to rise until reaching the stratopause, where temperatures reach -15 Celsius (5 Fahrenheit). The ionosphere stretches roughly 50 to 400 miles above Earth's surface, right at the edge of space. Ozone is a blue pungent-smelling gas that helps to absorb the ultraviolet radiation in the sun rays. A two-step reactive mechanism produces ozone in the stratosphere naturally. This layer of Earth's atmosphere is about 319 miles (513 kilometers) thick. Composition of the Earth's atmosphere. These elements react with toxic gases, salt, smoke, and volcanic ash. Gases and dust from volcanic eruptions often meet the same fate, remaining trapped in the stratosphere for months or even longer. This is just an estimate, however, as the lower and upper boundaries actually vary with the latitude of the earth. Enrolling in a course lets you earn progress by passing quizzes and exams. The burning of fossil fuels discharges carbon dioxide, while agricultural developments deposit a lot of methane and nitrogen oxides into the atmosphere. Its like a teacher waved a magic wand and did the work for me. The air has a very low density that you get into the interplanetary space without a manifest limit. The stratosphere was discovered in 1900 by French meteorologist Lon Teisserenc de Bort. (The fuel consumption depends on the drag, which is related to the lift by the lift-to-drag ratio.) Approximately 90 percent of the atmosphere's ozone occurs in the stratosphere, the region extending from 10-18 km (6-11 miles) to approximately 50 km (about 30 miles) above Earth's surface. Stratosphere. ], While looking up at the sky on a cloud-free day, one will see what looks like a continuous piece of[], The stratosphere is the second layer of the atmosphere, It extends from a height of approximately 10 km. A good percentage of the earths population breathes contaminated air, primarily sulfur dioxide and carbon monoxide emitted by industrial factories. It also allows the airplane to stay above the turbulent weather of the troposphere. It surrounds the globe and protects it by absorbing the infrared rays from the sun. Without the stratosphere, life on Earth would be much different, if not non-existent. Any opinions, findings and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation. It contains most of our Earth's water vapour, and is 78% nitrogen and 21% oxygen. Commercial jet aircraft fly in the lower stratosphere to avoid the turbulence which is common in the troposphere below. 17. The stratosphere is where youll find the very important ozone layer. PSCs appear in the lower stratosphere near the poles in winter. The atmosphere is dense near the surface of the Earth and protects life on the planet Earth. 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 stratosphere extends from the tropopause at about 10 to 17 km (about 6 to 11 miles) altitude to its upper boundary (the stratopause) at . Earth's atmosphere has a series of layers, each with its own specific traits. The troposphere, the lowest layer, is right below the stratosphere. 4 As this article clearly illustrated, the stratosphere has a crucial role to play in maintaining the atmosphere and all life in it. Ionosphere plays a vital role in radio signals broadcast on the earths surface. Terms & Conditions It means temperatures rise as altitude increases in this region, unlike the other four layers, which are characterized by a drop in temperature as altitude increases. [6], The mechanism describing the formation of the ozone layer was described by British mathematician Sydney Chapman in 1930. 3. Around the poles, it actually begins at around 7 kilometers, whereas around the equator it can be as high as 20 kilometers. The ionosphere is not a distinct layer like the others mentioned above. stratosphere The atmospheric layer above the troposphere, which extends on average from about 10 to 50 km above the Earth's surface. The wind, which is the air current, is generated when the hot air rises and gets replaced by colder air. The stratosphere is the second layer of the Earth's atmosphere, and lies approximately 10km to 50km above the Earth's surface. You might have seen planes leaving white condensation trails. Aurora is also referred to as polar light. It extends above the tropopause to an altitude of 50 km above the earth. Cred: NASA's Scientific Visualization Studio 3. 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. The next higher layer above the stratosphere is the mesosphere. Stated another way, it allows the airliner to fly faster while maintaining lift equal to the weight of the plane. The temperatures at the different atmospheric layers differ depending on solar radiation, humidity, and altitude. The stratosphere is a region of intense interactions among radiative, dynamical, and chemical processes, in which the horizontal mixing of gaseous components proceeds much more rapidly than does vertical mixing. I feel like its a lifeline. The image above illustrates the layers of Earth's atmosphere and their approximate distances from the Earth's surface. Providing an environment conducive to good instruction and motivation in which there is an atmosphere of self-motivation and self-discipline in the areas of personal development, character, and academic integrity. Skin cancer frequency is increasing due to the thinning of the ozone layer. To learn more about each layer of the atmosphere, click the images below. This breaking is much more pronounced in the winter hemisphere where this region is called the surf zone. If you were to climb a mountain in the stratosphere you would have to take off your warm clothes as you got closer to the top rather than putting them on like we usually do. [19] In 2001, dust was collected at a height of 41 kilometres in a high-altitude balloon experiment and was found to contain bacterial material when examined later in the laboratory. Starting at ground level, it extends upward to about 10 km (6.2 miles or about 33,000 feet) above sea level. The first is due to the reaction of hydroxyl radicals (OH) with ozone. They shoot upwards through the stratosphere in a blue column to altitudes as high as 50km! However, it is made up out of five different layers: The troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, and exosphere. OH is formed by the reaction of electrically excited oxygen atoms produced by ozone photolysis, with water vapor. Rocket launches inject exhaust gases into the stratosphere, producing uncertain consequences. The increase of temperature with altitude is a result of the absorption of the Sun's ultraviolet (UV) radiation by the ozone layer. Once you leave the stratosphere, and enter the mesosphere, the temperature dramatically decreases until plummeting to around -184 degrees Fahrenheit. Temperature decreases with height throughout the mesosphere. These events often precede unusual winter weather [16] and may even be responsible for the cold European winters of the 1960s.[17]. Most clouds appear here, mainly because 99% of the water vapor in the atmosphere is found in the troposphere. Most meteors burn up in the mesosphere. The atmosphere is about 500 km thick, with a mix of more than ten different gases. That's almost as wide as Earth itself. In addition, solar proton events can significantly affect ozone levels via radiolysis with the subsequent formation of OH. In 1985, they observed a hole in the ozone layer above the Antarctic. Mesosphere lies between 50-85 km above sea level. Because the temperature in the tropopause and lower stratosphere is largely constant with increasing altitude, very little convection and its resultant turbulence occurs there. PSCs are also called nacreous clouds. - Facts, Layers & Population, The Changing Earth: Volcanoes, Weathering & Deposition, The Four Spheres of Earth: Geosphere, Hydrosphere, Biosphere, and Atmosphere, Interactions of Earth's Spheres: Purpose and Examples, Ionosphere: Definition, Facts, Temperature & Layers, Understanding Plate Tectonics: Tutoring Solution, Understanding Earthquakes: Tutoring Solution, Understanding Volcanoes: Tutoring Solution, Rock Deformation & Mountain Building: Tutoring Solution, Shaping the Earth's Surface: Tutoring Solution, Energy in the Earth System: Tutoring Solution, Earth's Energy Resources: Tutoring Solution, Earth's Material Resources: Tutoring Solution, Earth Science Investigation & Experimentation: Tutoring Solution, Environmental Science 101: Environment and Humanity, UExcel Pathophysiology: Study Guide & Test Prep, Stratosphere Lesson for Kids: Definition & Facts, What is Alginic Acid? Write CSS OR LESS and hit save. It is the reason why the sky appears blue. The Brief Overview. 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. Hare, J.R. Knight. (The lack of weather activity in the stratosphere also allows aircraft to avoid adverse weather conditions by flying in the lower stratosphere above the weather.). Discover fun facts about the stratosphere and stratosphere characteristics. Its upper edge has maximum ozone concentration, referred to as the ozone belt. 29. stratosphere: [noun] the part of the earth's atmosphere which extends from the top of the troposphere to about 30 miles (50 kilometers) above the surface and in which temperature increases gradually to about 32 F (0 C) and clouds rarely form. The site owner may have set restrictions that prevent you from accessing the site. This layer of our atmosphere has its own set of layers. #1. Stratosphere is the second layer. Commercial airliners typically cruise at altitudes of 912km (30,00039,000ft) which is in the lower reaches of the stratosphere in temperate latitudes. Its upper edge has maximum ozone concentration, referred to as the ozone belt. Meteorological phenomena are limited to the troposphere since they result from the earths rotation and suns radiation on the atmosphere. Paul J. Crutzen, Mario J. Molina and F. Sherwood Rowland were awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1995 for their work describing the formation and decomposition of stratospheric ozone.[9]. It surrounds our planet, keeps us warm, gives us oxygen to breathe, and it is where our weather happens. Facts About Stratosphere Published: April 3, 2016 The stratosphere is the second major layer of Earth's atmosphere, just above the troposphere, and below the mesosphere. Ozone (O3) is a highly reactive gas whose molecules are comprised of three oxygen atoms. UCAR/Randy Russell The rapid photolysis and reformation of ozone heat the stratosphere, resulting in a temperature inversion. The greenhouse gases increase the effect making the earths surface to be warmer than usual. The thinning is most pronounced in the polar regions, especially over Antarctica. It extends above the tropopause to an altitude of 50 km above the earth. This jacket of gases does a lot for us. The infamous ozone layer is found within the stratosphere. In fact, the ozone layer absorbs most of the UV radiation the sun sends to us. The chlorine atoms are recycled when ClO reacts with O in the upper stratosphere, or when ClO reacts with itself in the chemistry of the Antarctic ozone hole. In the lower atmosphere (the troposphere) near the Earth's surface, ozone is created by chemical reactions between air pollutants . They have been observed by airline pilots and the international space station. Dr. Rachel Tustin has a PhD in Education focusing on Educational Technology, a Masters in English, and a BS in Marine Science. All other trademarks and copyrights are the property of their respective owners. Ozone is a chemical compound consisting of three oxygen atoms. A rare type of electrical discharge, somewhat akin to lightning, occurs in the stratosphere. But its not the same everywhere. Earths atmosphere is similar to a jacket for our planet. Although humans would not be able to survive in the stratosphere due to thin air and frigid temperatures, there is life that can and does survive there. 2023 TheFactFile.Org. 30. Another large-scale feature that significantly influences stratospheric circulation is the breaking planetary waves[15] resulting in intense quasi-horizontal mixing in the midlatitudes. This is due to gravity, but mostly due to the temperature inversion in the tropopause that prevents gases from entering the layer. The stratosphere is situated just above the troposphere, with a thin layer of air called the tropopause separating the two layers. The stratosphere can be as deep 20 miles or as shallow as 5.5 miles. Although the sun and other planets have magnetospheres, the earths magnetosphere is the strongest one of all the rocky planets. We humans live in the troposphere, and nearly all weather occurs in this lowest layer. Earth's atmosphere has six layers: the troposphere, the stratosphere, the mesosphere, the thermosphere, the ionosphere, and the exosphere. The main gases are nitrogen and oxygen, which make up 99% of the atmosphere. Though the atmosphere may appear uniform to the naked eye, it is actually similar to a layer cake. Folland. All air entering the stratosphere must pass through the tropopause, the temperature minimum that divides the troposphere and stratosphere. The timescale of this rapid mixing is much smaller than the much slower timescales of upwelling in the tropics and downwelling in the extratropics. . Mercury has water ice and organics. Although on average the stratosphere begins at about 7 miles up from the earth's surface, it can range from 5 miles at the earth's poles, to 6-8 miles at moderate latitudes, to 11 miles at the equator. It is called stratosphere because it is stratified in temperature, with warmer layers higher up and cooler layers farther down. These free-moving elements continuously escape into space due to ballistic trajectories. Here are 50 Interesting facts about the atmosphere that you probably didnt know. This diagram shows some of the features of the stratosphere. The stratosphere begins at around 10 kilometers above the surface of the earth. - Structure, Solubility & Products, Arrow Pushing Mechanism in Organic Chemistry, Topicity in Stereochemistry: Relationships & Examples, Antarafacial & Suprafacial Relationships in Organic Chemistry, Working Scholars Bringing Tuition-Free College to the Community. Learn about the stratosphere, including the stratosphere's definition and importance. The stratosphere is a layer of Earth's atmosphere. Of all the atmospheric layers, this is the most closest to the Earth. Just like the troposphere, its depth varies with latitude. It is the only layer of the atmosphere where temperature inversion occurs. Above the stratosphere is the mesosphere. While the troposphere is filled with a vast assortment of clouds thanks to a gas we know as water vapor, the stratosphere is a vast, clear blue sky. In this article, we are going to learn about the atmosphere.
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