Thats almost as wide as Earth itself. The increase of temperature with altitude is a result of the absorption of the Sun's ultraviolet (UV) radiation by the ozone layer. The stratosphere is very dry air and contains little water vapor. Temperatures rise as one moves upward through the stratosphere. The stratosphere is home to the ozone layer, which is a thin layer of concentrated ozone which plays an essential role in protecting the Earth from dangerous solar radiation. Mercury has an atmosphere that changes with its distance to the Sun. Such is the case for ozone-destroying chemicals called CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons). But there are no mountains high enough to reach the stratosphere, so you dont have to worry about that. The next higher layer above the stratosphere is the mesosphere. 21. Discover fun facts about the stratosphere and stratosphere characteristics. The ozone layer is within the stratosphere, which protect the Earth from harmful radiation emitted by the sun. The temperatures decrease by 6.5 degrees Celsius each kilometer, reaching -55 degrees Celsius at the top limit of the troposphere, commonly known as the tropopause. Geomagnetic solar storms caused by solar flares or solar winds can disrupt activities in the ionosphere, causing difficulty in transmitting radio signals and global positioning system signals. The first is due to the reaction of hydroxyl radicals (OH) with ozone. But its not the same everywhere. In fact it is not easy to distinguish between space and not space because of the fact that the Earths atmosphere doesnt simply vanish; rather, it gradually becomes thinner and thinner over about 600 miles. Clouds form due to convection, which is uncommon in the stratosphere. Temperature decreases with height throughout the mesosphere. Strat means layer. This UV radiation is important for the production of vitamin D in humans, but too much can destroy tissue. The timescale of this rapid mixing is much smaller than the much slower timescales of upwelling in the tropics and downwelling in the extratropics. Planting trees is one of the efforts that people have done to try to minimize damage and to help rebuild the damaged ozone layer. Other gases that make up the remaining 0.1 percent include trace amounts of carbon dioxide, methane, water vapour, and neon. Any opinions, findings and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation. Instead, the ionosphere is a series of regions in parts of the mesosphere and thermosphere where high-energy radiation from the Sun has knocked electrons loose from their parent atoms and molecules. Commercial airliners typically cruise at altitudes of 912km (30,00039,000ft) which is in the lower reaches of the stratosphere in temperate latitudes. Enrolling in a course lets you earn progress by passing quizzes and exams. The stratospheric air is extremely thin and dry since the vast majority of atmospheric gases (and weather activity) are limited to the troposphere. The stratosphere is the second layer of the atmosphere, in between the troposphere and the mesosphere. Although it is situated above the upper reaches of conventional aircraft, scientists are still able to study it through the use of weather balloons, high-altitude aircraft, and also weather (sounding) rockets. These "blue jets" appear above thunderstorms, and extend from the bottom of the stratosphere up to altitudes of 40 or 50 km (25 to 31 miles). The stratosphere is where youll find the very important ozone layer. It contains most of our Earth's water vapour, and is 78% nitrogen and 21% oxygen. 4 The QBO induces a secondary circulation that is important for the global stratospheric transport of tracers, such as ozone[14] or water vapor. Just like the troposphere, its depth varies with latitude. 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. 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 . 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. She earned her bachelor's in Physics and Astronomy from the University of North Carolina at Asheville. 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. Stratosphere is the second layer. The stratosphere is a very interesting layer in Earth's atmosphere, as there are many fun stratosphere facts outside of its primary characteristics that make it unique. Convection is the process whereby warm air rises and cooler air descends. It starts to glow, and the rocks begin to fly off. 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. We humans live in the troposphere, and nearly all weather occurs in this lowest layer. No tracking or performance measurement cookies were served with this page. 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 fuel consumption depends on the drag, which is related to the lift by the lift-to-drag ratio.) [12] Eustace also broke the world records for vertical speed skydiving, reached with a peak velocity of 1,321km/h (822mph) and total freefall distance of 123,414ft (37,617m) lasting four minutes and 27 seconds.[13]. 4. Its concentration in the atmosphere naturally fluctuates depending on seasons and latitudes, but it was . CTRL + SPACE for auto-complete. The Stratosphere also has three thrill rides at the top. 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]. Nitrous oxide (N2O) is produced by biological activity at the surface and is oxidised to NO in the stratosphere; the so-called NOx radical cycles also deplete stratospheric ozone. If you do your calculations, each water vapor particle spends approximately nine days in the atmosphere. The rapid photolysis and reformation of ozone heat the stratosphere, resulting in a temperature inversion. Temperature increases with height until the estimated top of the thermosphere at 500 km. Just above that is the stratosphere, the area of the atmosphere where passenger airplanes and weather balloons fly. Ozone is important for ensuring that just the right amount of ultraviolet radiation reaches the earth. It is the only atmospheric layer where temperature inversion takes place. Air density in this layer gradually decreases as you go higher. That's the opposite of how the . The rising air is literally freeze dried; the stratosphere is a very dry place. 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. Starting at ground level, it extends upward to about 10 km (6.2 miles or about 33,000 feet) above sea level. Clouds form when water vapor condenses into a liquid, and with very little water, vapor condensation is virtually impossible. Most airplanes or jets travel in the lower part of the stratosphere. [4] The temperature inversion is in contrast to the troposphere, near the Earth's surface, where temperature decreases with altitude. 14. They shoot upwards through the stratosphere in a blue column to altitudes as high as 50km! The stratosphere has many defining features that make it a unique part of the atmosphere. It is located just above the troposphere, which is the first layer of the atmosphere closest to the ground. Earth's atmosphere has six layers: the troposphere, the stratosphere, the mesosphere, the thermosphere, the ionosphere, and the exosphere. The electrically charged atoms and molecules that are formed in this way are called ions, giving the ionosphere its name and endowing this region with some special properties. Ozone depletion is a major environmental problem because it increases the amount of ultraviolet (UV . It borders the troposphere below through a thin transitional space called the tropopause. As a result of the EUs General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Terms & Conditions The atmosphere comprises five layers: troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere and exosphere. The stratosphere also traps certain gasses known as CFC's, which are chemicals derived from aerosol. The atmosphere is about 500 km thick, with a mix of more than ten different gases. - This is the second layer of the atmosphere from the surface of the earth, and lies between the troposphere and the mesosphere. Planes and jets will sometimes. Hare, J.R. Knight. Earth's atmosphere is a jacket of gases that surrounds our planet. So, what does the stratosphere do? The exosphere is really, really big. These troposphere facts are going to make you see the air around you in a very different light and help you learn more about how we live and breathe. 31. Weather balloons also rise up to this level of the atmosphere to collect data without interference of storm clouds. ], 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 rare type of electrical discharge, somewhat akin to lightning, occurs in the stratosphere. 28. It helps in propagation of the radio waves used in telecommunication. This list does not contain all the data available about the stratosphere but highlights the key facts and characteristics of this layer. Though the atmosphere may appear uniform to the naked eye, it is actually similar to a layer cake. [21] Bar-headed geese (Anser indicus) sometimes migrate over Mount Everest, whose summit is 8,848m (29,029ft). In the stratosphere - 'strato' means layer and sphere is the shape of the earth. Almost all weather is in this region. It not only examines what the stratosphere is but also looks at the characteristics or facts that define it. - 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? The stratosphere contains approximately 19% of the earth's total atmospheric gases. Without the stratosphere, life on Earth would be very different or non-existent, as the shielding of the sun's radiation is important for known Earth life. Of all the atmospheric layers, this is the most closest to the Earth. The HO2 radical produced by the reaction of OH with O3 is recycled to OH by reaction with oxygen atoms or ozone. Because of this temperature stratification, there is little convection and mixing in the stratosphere, so the layers of air there are quite stable. If you are interested in the complete structure and make-up of the atmosphere,this articlecovers all five atmospheric layers and their relation to each other in more detail. The stratosphere was discovered in 1900 by French meteorologist Lon Teisserenc de Bort. A two-step reactive mechanism produces ozone in the stratosphere naturally. 30. Various types of waves and tides in the atmosphere influence the stratosphere. The stratosphere is a layer of Earth's atmosphere. We now know that there are additional ozone loss mechanisms and that these mechanisms are catalytic meaning that a small amount of the catalyst can destroy a great number of ozone molecules. Stated another way, it allows the airliner to fly faster while maintaining lift equal to the weight of the plane. Meteors burn up in the coldest layer, the mesosphere. Autumn Skies Online Pty Ltd also participates in affiliate programs with Clickbank, CJ, ShareASale, and other sites. Since almost almost weather activity is limited to the troposphere and almost no water vapor is present in the stratosphere, Polar Stratospheric Clouds is the only visual meteorological phenomenon that can be observed in the stratosphere. However, just above that is an equally important layer called the stratosphere. Ozone (O3) photolysis produces O and O2. 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. Earth's atmosphere is similar to a jacket for our planet. It is easy & understandable to view our atmosphere as a continuous layer of air. The ozone layer, which absorbs and scatters the . ozone depletion, gradual thinning of Earth's ozone layer in the upper atmosphere caused by the release of chemical compounds containing gaseous chlorine or bromine from industry and other human activities. Ozone is a gas made up of three oxygen atoms (O 3). 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! In fact, the ozone layer absorbs most of the UV radiation the sun sends to us. [2] [3] The stratosphere is an atmospheric layer composed of stratified temperature layers, with the warm layers of air high in the sky and the cool layers of air in the low sky, close . The stratosphere is one of five layers of the earth's atmosphere. It extends upward to a height of about 85 km (53 miles) above our planet. 5. The waves and tides influence the flows of air in the stratosphere and can also cause regional heating of this layer of the atmosphere. All Rights Reserved. When greenhouse gases rise into the atmosphere, they form chloride ions that destroy the ozone layer by making holes in it. Mercury's magnetic field is different at its poles. stratosphere, layer of Earth's atmosphere lying between the troposphere and the mesosphere. Acidic rains destroy plants and animals, and if it reaches rivers and lakes, it destroys all the aquatic life. The bottom of the stratosphere is around 10 km (6.2 miles or about 33,000 feet) above the ground at middle latitudes. This layer holds 19 percent of the atmosphere's gases but very little water vapor. The thinning is most pronounced in the polar regions, especially over Antarctica. A good percentage of the earths population breathes contaminated air, primarily sulfur dioxide and carbon monoxide emitted by industrial factories. Above the troposphere and below the mesosphere, we have the stratosphere. . The atmosphere gradually changes as the climate and weather change. To learn more about each layer of the atmosphere, click the images below. Sunlight is reflected in every direction by the gases present in the atmosphere. High-energy X-rays and UV radiation from the Sun are absorbed in the thermosphere, raising its temperature to hundreds or at times thousands of degrees. On November 29, 1973, a Rppell's vulture (Gyps rueppelli) was ingested into a jet engine 11,278m (37,000ft) above the Ivory Coast. This part of the atmosphere is the most dense. Between the troposphere and stratosphere is the tropopause border that demarcates the beginning of the temperature inversion. It is the only atmospheric layer where temperature inversion occurs and the region where the ozone layer is situated. Due to the high speed of the meteor, it generates a lot of heat resulting from high friction between the particles and the meteor. There is very little water vapor in this layer of the atmosphere, so clouds are a rare occurrence. The top of the stratosphere is called the stratopause, above which the temperature decreases with height. Be grateful! One wild characteristic of the stratosphere is a phenomenon that occurs, which is known as blue jets. Sydney Chapman gave a correct description of the source of stratospheric ozone and its ability to generate heat within the stratosphere;[citation needed] he also wrote that ozone may be destroyed by reacting with atomic oxygen, making two molecules of molecular oxygen. Air density is the lowest, and its temperature can increase up to 1500 degrees Celsius. Requested URL: byjus.com/chemistry/stratosphere/, User-Agent: Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; CPU iPhone OS 15_5 like Mac OS X) AppleWebKit/605.1.15 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/15.5 Mobile/15E148 Safari/604.1. 9. These elements react with toxic gases, salt, smoke, and volcanic ash. There is no clear-cut upper boundary where the exosphere finally fades away into space. Mesosphere lies between 50-85 km above sea level. This diagram shows some of the features of the stratosphere. Blue jets are an extremely rare form of lightning or electrical discharge from clouds in the troposphere. The more humid the atmosphere is, the thicker the contrails will be. This ozone layer is important for man's survival, and for the survival of life on earth, as it absorbs the UV radiation from the sun that would otherwise be deadly. [7] Molecular oxygen absorbs high energy sunlight in the UV-C region, at wavelengths shorter than about 240nm. The stratosphere is one of the 5 layers of the atmosphere, situated above the troposphere and below the mesosphere at an altitude of 10 km (6 miles), extending to 50 km (30 miles). The stratosphere ends where it transitions to the mesosphere, around 50 kilometers above the earth. However, it is made up out of five different layers: The troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, and exosphere. Without it, the earths surface would be so cold that living here would not be possible. The stratosphere is very cold, ranging in temperatures from negative 68F to negative 5F. It occurs naturally in small (trace) amounts in the upper atmosphere (the stratosphere). These gases are chemically inert, although some can react with various chemicals: carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, methane, ammonia, ozone, and water vapor. Earths atmosphere has six layers: the troposphere, the stratosphere, the mesosphere, the thermosphere, the ionosphere, and the exosphere. They are a combination of supercooled water and nitric acid that develop at very low temperatures. He discovered this atmospheric layer by sending a weather balloon up and noticing that the temperature changes differently than it does in the troposphere. This was based on temperature profiles from mostly unmanned and a few manned instrumented balloons. An interesting feature of stratospheric circulation is the quasi-biennial oscillation (QBO) in the tropical latitudes, which is driven by gravity waves that are convectively generated in the troposphere. But there are no mountains high enough to reach the stratosphere, so you dont have to worry about that. In this region, the temperature increases with height. Air circulation within the stratosphere is dominated by the Brewer-Dobson Circulation, which is a single-celled air movement that stretches from the Poles to the Equator. (The ozone layer is too large a topic for this article, but you can read more about it in the following post.). Each year, this large amount of water is recycled about 40 times. They result from ionized particles from the sun striking the upper atmosphere above the poles. The presence of moisture in the atmosphere is 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. The ozone layer is very important, as it protects life on Earth from the majority of the UV rays emitted from the sun. The stratosphere is a layer of Earths atmosphere. Its upper edge has maximum ozone concentration, referred to as the ozone belt. Damage to the ozone layer of the stratosphere occurs naturally when volcanic gases and dust reach the stratosphere, but people have been contributing to this as well with the use of aerosol's containing CFCs. It comprises the magnetosphere and ionosphere. The atmosphere is one of four spheres of the earth, which include the atmosphere, the hydrosphere, the biosphere, and the lithosphere. Unlike the troposphere however it is colder closer to the earth and warmer as it gets closer to the mesosphere. However, this feature allows commercial airliners to fly in the lower stratosphere while traveling faster and save fuel. They go from the ground all the way to outer space. It is the second layer of the atmosphere as you go upward. 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. As this article clearly illustrated, the stratosphere has a crucial role to play in maintaining the atmosphere and all life in it. Commercial airliners fly in the lower stratosphere to avoid the weather, travel faster, and save fuel. Aurora is also referred to as polar light. Most meteors burn up in the mesosphere. Thislayerseparates the rest of the atmosphere from outer space. This is how certain gases become trapped in the stratosphere, like CFC's and ozone. The ozone layer helps protect us from ultraviolet radiation (UV) from the sun. Air is roughly a thousand times thinner at the top of the stratosphere than it is at sea level.

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