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 rising air is literally freeze dried; the stratosphere is a very dry place. At the outer limit of the magnetic field is the magnetosphere. To unlock this lesson you must be a Study.com Member. Temperature decreases with height throughout the mesosphere. 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). Composed of mostly nitrogen and oxygen, the stratosphere also contains the ozone layer. 77 Amazing, Interesting, and Exciting Facts about the Atmosphere [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 to the planetary surface of the Earth. Because of this temperature stratification, there is little convection and mixing in the stratosphere, so the layers of air there are quite stable. This decrease in temperature with altitude is what causes convection to occur in the troposphere. (The ozone layer is too large a topic for this article, but you can read more about it in the following post.). Such is the case for ozone-destroying chemicals called CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons). It is the only atmospheric layer where temperature inversion takes place. Heat is produced in the process of the formation of Ozone, and this heat is responsible for . 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. The stratosphere is composed primarily of nitrogen and oxygen. Thats the opposite of how the layers work in the troposphere, where we live. 15. They are much similar to warm breath during cold weather. This list does not contain all the data available about the stratosphere but highlights the key facts and characteristics of this layer. The stratosphere is where youll find the very important ozone layer. Convection is when gases cool as they rise, allowing them to condense on air molecules which form clouds. As a result, air circulation is not as prevalent in this layer of the atmosphere, making it difficult for some gasses to escape. Instead, clouds condense in the troposphere. Also, magnetic and south poles reverse at uneven intervals of hundreds of thousands of years. All Rights Reserved. 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. 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. Commercial airliners typically cruise at altitudes of 912km (30,00039,000ft) which is in the lower reaches of the stratosphere in temperate latitudes. The ozone layer is very important, as it protects life on Earth from the majority of the UV rays emitted from the sun. Planes and jets will sometimes choose to fly in the stratosphere, where there are no clouds or weather that can affect the ride. The stratosphere protects Earth life from extremely harmful UV rays from the sun. The shiny blue marble continues to fascinate us since the time we began walking across its surfaces. Above the stratosphere lies the mesosphere, thermosphere, and exosphere. This is exactly the opposite of the behavior in the troposphere in which we live, where temperatures drop with increasing altitude. 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. To learn more about each layer of the atmosphere, click the images below. The timescale of this rapid mixing is much smaller than the much slower timescales of upwelling in the tropics and downwelling in the extratropics. Cred: NASA's Scientific Visualization Studio 3. The stratosphere is abundant in ozone, a type of oxygen molecule that absorbs the sun's ultraviolet radiation and uses it to heat this layer in the atmosphere. The atmospheric balance is jeopardized by human activities that cause global warming, greenhouse effect, ozone belt destruction, air contamination, and acid rains. 17. It is called stratosphere because it is stratified in temperature, with warmer layers higher up and cooler layers farther down. Weather balloons also rise up to this level of the atmosphere to collect data without interference of storm clouds. The layer made of layers. What Is the Greenhouse Effect? It is important because it contains the ozone layer, which protects the Earth from harmful UV rays. 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. The atmosphere is one of four spheres of the earth, which include the atmosphere, the hydrosphere, the biosphere, and the lithosphere. There are some species of birds capable of flying in the stratosphere. Thats almost as wide as Earth itself. #1. Sunlight is reflected in every direction by the gases present in the atmosphere. 12. 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 . 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 layer made of layers Above the troposphere and below the mesosphere, we have the stratosphere. The lower boundary of the stratosphere is called the tropopause; the upper boundary is called the stratopause. - 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. 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. Middle School Earth Science: Tutoring Solution, Earth's Spheres & Structure: Tutoring Solution, Earth's Internal Layers: Crust, Mantle & Core, Psychological Research & Experimental Design, All Teacher Certification Test Prep Courses, Stratosphere Facts: Fun Facts About the Stratosphere, How The Earth is Shaped: Earthquakes, Faults & Tsunamis, What is Earth? 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. The stratosphere is located above the troposphere and below the mesosphere. Life as we know it wouldnt be possible without this layer of protection. This is due to gravity, but mostly due to the temperature inversion in the tropopause that prevents gases from entering the layer. Earth's atmosphere has a series of layers, each with its own specific traits. One wild characteristic of the stratosphere is a phenomenon that occurs, which is known as blue jets. 7. This increase of temperature with altitude is characteristic of the stratosphere; its resistance to vertical mixing means that it is stratified. 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. The stratosphere is one of five layers of the earth's atmosphere. So, what does the stratosphere do? Facts About The Exosphere: The Outermost Layer Of The Atmosphere. It's about 6,200 miles (10,000 kilometers) thick. The top of the stratosphere is called the stratopause, above which the temperature decreases with height. Also known as Nacreous Clouds, these unique clouds develop near the poles at an altitude of 15 - 25 kilometers (9 - 15 miles) during the winter months. Commercial jet aircraft fly in the lower stratosphere to avoid the turbulence which is common in the troposphere below. Airplanes fly in the stratosphere to avoid turbulence. [4] The temperature inversion is in contrast to the troposphere, near the Earth's surface, where temperature decreases with altitude. Hare, J.R. Knight. The air density is also very low, making it less turbulent to travel through. Last edited on 18 February 2023, at 00:23, "Atmospheric Temperature Trends, 19792005", "NWS JetStream - Layers of the Atmosphere", "The Stratosphere - overview | UCAR Center for Science Education", "Parachutist's Record Fall: Over 25 Miles in 15 Minutes (Published 2014)", "Google's Alan Eustace beats Baumgartner's skydiving record", Quasi-biennial oscillation in ozone in a coupled chemistry-climate model, Breaking planetary waves in the stratosphere, Stratospheric Harbingers of Anomalous Weather Regimes, A stratospheric influence on the winter NAO and North Atlantic surface climate, "How Sudden Stratospheric Warming Affects the Whole Atmosphere", "Collision between a Vulture and an Aircraft at an Altitude of 37,000 Feet". In the stratosphere - 'strato' means layer and sphere is the shape of the earth. Polar stratospheric clouds (PSCs) are the exception. The ozone layer is within the stratosphere, which protect the Earth from harmful radiation emitted by the sun. 4. The stratosphere can be as deep 20 miles or as shallow as 5.5 miles. This diagram shows some of the features of the stratosphere. The presence of moisture in the atmosphere is Earth's atmosphere has six layers: the troposphere, the stratosphere, the mesosphere, the thermosphere, the ionosphere, and the exosphere. It extends above the tropopause to an altitude of 50 km above the earth. Stratospheric warming of the polar vortex results in its weakening. It extends upward to a height of about 85 km (53 miles) above our planet. The layer of very rare air above the mesosphere is called the thermosphere. The overall circulation of the stratosphere is termed as Brewer-Dobson circulation, which is a single-celled circulation, spanning from the tropics up to the poles, consisting of the tropical upwelling of air from the tropical troposphere and the extra-tropical downwelling of air. PSCs are also called nacreous clouds. 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. The resultant breaking causes large-scale mixing of air and other trace gases throughout the midlatitude surf zone. There is very little water vapor in this layer of the atmosphere, so clouds are a rare occurrence. The ozone layer absorbs the majority of these rays, shielding life from harmful radiation. Certain swans, cranes, and vultures can fly in the lower stratosphere. The aurora, the Northern Lights and Southern Lights, occur in the thermosphere. Most meteors burn up in the mesosphere. The temperatures in the ozone belt are higher than in the troposphere since the ozone absorbs the ultraviolet rays. The atmosphere has nearly 37.5 million billion gallons of water at any given time. Ozone is a blue pungent-smelling gas that helps to absorb the ultraviolet radiation in the sun rays. The ozone layer helps protect us from ultraviolet radiation (UV) from the sun. The lack of particles in the air causes less friction to hold an aircraft back, which requires less power to travel faster and further. These events often precede unusual winter weather [16] and may even be responsible for the cold European winters of the 1960s.[17]. It is the highest layer. They shoot upwards through the stratosphere in a blue column to altitudes as high as 50km! It is the second layer of the atmosphere as you go upward. We live in one layer, called the troposphere, where the clouds and most of the water vapor reside. We humans live in the troposphere, and nearly all weather occurs in this lowest layer. The stratosphere also contains the ozone layer, which absorbs harmful ultraviolet radiation as it enters our atmosphere from the sun. Here are 50 Interesting facts about the atmosphere that you probably didnt know. Life as we know it wouldnt be possible without this layer of protection. This is the opposite of what happens in the troposphere, where an increasing altitude yields a decrease in temperature. (The fuel consumption depends on the drag, which is related to the lift by the lift-to-drag ratio.) Planting trees is one of the efforts that people have done to try to minimize damage and to help rebuild the damaged ozone 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. Autumn Skies Online Pty Ltd is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies., The Earth's atmosphere consists of five layers. 18. This is also where you'll find low Earth orbit satellites. 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. It sets it apart from the other atmospheric layers by temperature rising instead of dropping as altitude increases, a process called temperature inversion. All air entering the stratosphere must pass through the tropopause, the temperature minimum that divides the troposphere and stratosphere. Moreover, it regulates the temperature extremes that are likely to occur between day and night. The greenhouse gases increase the effect making the earths surface to be warmer than usual. Terms & Conditions 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. . 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. Aurora is also referred to as polar light. 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. 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. This layer of our atmosphere has its own set of layers. In 1985, they observed a hole in the ozone layer above the Antarctic. 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. Ozone is a gas made up of three oxygen atoms (O 3). The stratospheric air is extremely thin and dry since the vast majority of atmospheric gases (and weather activity) are limited to the troposphere. They are found at altitudes of 15 to 25 km (9.3 to 15.5 miles) and form only when temperatures at those heights dip below -78 C. They appear to help cause the formation of the infamous holes in the ozone layer by "encouraging" certain chemical reactions that destroy ozone. Stratosphere is the second layer. In fact, the ozone layer absorbs most of the UV radiation the sun sends to us. Ozone (O3) is a highly reactive gas whose molecules are comprised of three oxygen atoms. Enrolling in a course lets you earn progress by passing quizzes and exams. Clouds form when water vapor condenses into a liquid, and with very little water, vapor condensation is virtually impossible. Earths atmosphere has six layers: the troposphere, the stratosphere, the mesosphere, the thermosphere, the ionosphere, and the exosphere. It contains the ozone layer and is between the troposphere, the first layer of the atmosphere, and the mesosphere, the third layer of the atmosphere. Ozone is important for ensuring that just the right amount of ultraviolet radiation reaches the earth. Earth's atmosphere is composed of about 78% nitrogen, 21% oxygen, and one percent other gases. ], 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. However, just above that is an equally important layer called the stratosphere. The atmosphere is dense near the surface of the Earth and protects life on the planet Earth. Theexosphereis really, really big. 23. This is just an estimate, however, as the lower and upper boundaries actually vary with the latitude of the earth. Certain birds will even fly in the stratosphere, including swans, cranes, and vultures! It is seen in high latitude areas as shimmering curtains of lights that are visible at night. It contains 80% of the atmospheric weight, making it the densest layer. They go from the ground all the way to outer space. - This is the second layer of the atmosphere from the surface of the earth, and lies between the troposphere and the mesosphere. Certain birds can fly to this altitude, including cranes, swans, and vultures. The height of the bottom of the stratosphere varies with latitude and with the seasons. Learn about the stratosphere, including the stratosphere's definition and importance. The atmosphere surrounds our planet like the peel of an orange. That's almost as wide as Earth itself. Discover fun facts about the stratosphere and stratosphere characteristics. Mercury's magnetic field is different at its poles. It surrounds the globe and protects it by absorbing the infrared rays from the sun. This was based on temperature profiles from mostly unmanned and a few manned instrumented balloons. As mentioned in the introduction, certain birds such as cranes, swans, and vultures can fly at this altitude. 8. This is due to the temperature changes within the stratosphere. That means that to get to outer space, you have to be really far from Earth. Starting at ground level, it extends upward to about 10 km (6.2 miles or about 33,000 feet) above sea level. The lower portion of the stratosphere is nearly isothermal (a layer of constant temperature), whereas temperatures in its upper levels increase with altitude. Just like the troposphere, its depth varies with latitude. Brewer-Dobson Circulation occurs in the 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. 1. The site owner may have set restrictions that prevent you from accessing the site. Interesting Facts About Mercury. The Concorde aircraft cruised at Mach 2 at about 60,000ft (18km), and the SR-71 cruised at Mach 3 at 85,000ft (26km), all within the stratosphere. The mesosphere is directly above the stratosphere and below the thermosphere. It comprises the magnetosphere and ionosphere. It is located just above the troposphere, which is the first layer of the atmosphere closest to the ground. 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. Privacy Policy The thinning is most pronounced in the polar regions, especially over Antarctica. 22. A.A. Scaife, J.R. Knight, G.K. Vallis, C.K. The stratosphere is a layer of Earths atmosphere. This layer holds 19 percent of the atmosphere's gases but very little water vapor. Moving upward from ground level, these layers are called the troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, and exosphere. The stratosphere extends from from 4 -12 miles (6-20 km) above the Earth's surface to around 31 miles (50 km). The stratosphere is a layer of Earths atmosphere. Fun Stratosphere Facts for Kids. Since the stratosphere has increasing temperature with elevation, convection is very rare. 31. 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. 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. The thermosphere extends from about 90 km to 500 kmand 1,000 km above our planet. It changes sometimes unpredictably Its concentration in the atmosphere naturally fluctuates depending on seasons and latitudes, but it was . 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. As the ozone layer absorbs UV radiation, it causes the temperature in this layer to increase. 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. 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 situated just above the troposphere, with a thin layer of air called the tropopause separating the two layers. 29. 40 Unbelievable But True Troposphere Facts | Kidadl At Home Show All Free Coloring Pages Free Dot to Dot Printables Free Printable Stencils Funnies Trivia Birthdays Books Creative, Arts & Crafts Most clouds appear here, mainly because 99% of the water vapor in the atmosphere is found in the troposphere. However, the distance of 100 kms from the earths surface is what is considered generally as an imaginary boundary. 13. In this article, we are going to learn about the atmosphere. Unlike the troposphere however it is colder closer to the earth and warmer as it gets closer to the mesosphere. As a result, the air in the stratosphere is about 1000 times thinner in the stratosphere than at sea level in the troposphere. In this region, the temperature increases with height. It is the only atmospheric layer where temperature inversion occurs and the region where the ozone layer is situated. Stratosphere. However, as you enter the stratosphere, the ozone gas absorbs the ultraviolet light entering the atmosphere from the sun. Just above that is the stratosphere, the area of the atmosphere where passenger airplanes and weather balloons fly. Ninety-nine percent of the gases that compose the atmosphere are located below a height of 32 km (20 miles). Since the ozone layer absorbs UV rays from the sun, it heats up, which allows temperatures to increase as altitude increases. 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.