Atmosphere Layers
Unique Features of the Atmosphere
10

It is the lowest layer of Earth's atmosphere, where almost all weather conditions occur. It extends from Earth's surface up to about 8 to 15 kilometers (5 to 9 miles) above sea level, depending on your location (it's thicker at the equator and thinner at the poles).

Troposphere


10

Name something unique about the stratosphere

Ozone Layer

Jet Streams

Planes Fly here

Temperature Increases with Altitude


20

This layer extends from the tropopause up to about 50km and is vastly more dilute than the troposphere, but it has a similar composition - except that it has almost no water vapor and nearly 1,000 times more ozone (O3)

Stratosphere

20

Name something unique about the mesosphere

Meteors Burn Up

Coldest Layer

Middle Layer of Atmosphere

30

This is the third layer of the atmosphere directly above the thermosphere. In this layer, temperature decreases as altitude increases.

Mesosphere

30

Name something unique about the thermosphere

Auroras Occur Here 

High Temperatures 

Space Shuttles Orbit Here 

Contains the Ionosphere 

40

This is a heated layer that begins at about 80km. It is a region of highly ionized (electrically charged) gases, heated by a steady flow of high energy solar and cosmic radiation.

Thermosphere


40

Name something unique about the exosphere.

Edge of Space 

Satellites Orbit Here 

Thinnest Layer 

Few Gas Particles 

50

This is the outermost layer of the atmosphere. It extends from about 375 miles (600 km) to 6,200 miles (10,000 km ) above the earth. In this layer, atoms and molecules escape into space and satellites orbit the earth.

Exosphere

50

Name something unique about the troposphere.

Weather Occurs Here 

Contains 75% of Atmosphere's Mass 

Temperature Decreases with Altitude 

Closest Layer to Earth 

Contains Most Water Vapor