Atmospheric Structure
Earth's Surface
Select a layer to view detailed information about its composition, temperature, and function
Temperature Profile
Why Temperature Changes:
- Troposphere: Cools with altitude (away from warm Earth surface)
- Stratosphere: Warms due to ozone absorbing UV radiation
- Mesosphere: Cools again (no ozone, far from surface)
- Thermosphere: Extreme heating from solar X-rays and UV
Key Facts
- • 99% of atmospheric mass is below 32 km
- • Pressure decreases exponentially with altitude
- • Ozone layer protects life from UV radiation
- • Aurora occurs at 100-500 km altitude
- • No clear boundary where atmosphere ends