Introduction:
The stratosphere is the second-lowest major layer of Earth’s atmosphere. It is mainly situated about 6 miles (9.7 kilometers) to 30 miles (48 kilometers) above the surface of the Earth. The air is relatively thin here, containing basic components like nitrogen and oxygen, just as it does in the troposphere situated beneath the stratosphere. The stratosphere is the highest layer of the Earth’s atmosphere which is completely engulfed by the existence of ozone, which blocks 99% of the incoming ultraviolet sunlight. With its diverse chemical composition and complex structure, the stratosphere has been emulating a sense of curiosity and awe amongst Earth’s inhabitants for centuries. Let us explore 15 interesting facts about the stratosphere.
Fact 1: The Startosphere is Situated Between the Troposphere and the Mesosphere
The stratosphere is situated between the troposphere and the mesosphere in the Earth’s atmosphere. The troposphere is the lowest layer of the atmosphere located near the surface of the Earth. It contains almost 80 percent of the air atmosphere. The mesosphere is the second layer above the stratosphere. It is the coldest layer because it is the thinnest and has almost no water vapor. The temperatures in the stratosphere are remarkably colder than the troposphere, ranging from -60 Fahrenheit (-51 Celsius) on the upper boundary to about 32 Fahrenheit(0 Celsius) at lower altitudes. Temperatures slow rises with an increase in altitude. The main difference between them rests in the composition, structure, and features.
Fact 2: The Stratosphere is Delineated By a Small Temperature Inversion Layers
A temperature inversion is a layer containing air that is much cooler than the air above and below it. These inversion layers provide the boundary which delineates the Stratosphere from the other layers. This is because the air molecule density in the stratosphere increases as the distance from the Earth’s surface decreases. This creates a temperature inversion that inhibits further cooling in the stratosphere because the warmer air is at the top instead of at the bottom, as is the case in the troposphere. The stratosphere is divided into two or three distinct sub layers according to its temperature characteristics.
Fact 3: The Stratosphere Contains the Ozone Layer
The stratosphere is the highest layer of Earth’s atmosphere that is completely filled with ozone. The presence of ozone gas is of immense importance as it filters out all the harmful ultraviolet radiations from the sun. Ozone is a colorless gas molecule composed of three oxygen atoms. Ozone is generated and destroyed each day, forming what is known as the ozone layer. Some of the oxygen generated in the stratosphere gets combined to form ozone which is then broken down by ultraviolet radiation.
Fact 4: The Stratosphere Has Water-Soluble Particles
The stratosphere contains a number of fine particles which readily dissolve in water. These particles are mainly composed of ash dust and other compounds left by volcanoes. The presence of these particles drastically affects the stratospheric temperature by blocking the sunlight from reaching the Earth’s surface. This cooling of the stratosphere leads to what is known as a temperature inversion layers which increases the stratospheric temperature. It is also believed that the presence of these particles may act as cloud nuclei which contributes to the formation of clouds at higher altitudes.
Fact 5: The Stratosphere is Almost Completely Free of Water Vapor
Another important aspect of the stratosphere is that it is almost completely devoid of water vapor. The air pressure is too low for the water vapor to exist in this layer of the atmosphere. This near absence of water vapor results in minimal heat absorption by the stratosphere. This is another reason why the stratosphere is much colder than the troposphere and is further away from the Earth’s surface.
Fact 6: Jet Streams Exist in the Stratosphere
Jet streams are powerful wind currents that occur naturally in the Earth’s atmosphere. These swift air currents are created due to the uneven heating of the atmosphere and the Coriolis effect. Jet streams are usually found in the troposphere but strong jet streams are also present in the stratosphere for short periods of time.
Fact 7: Stratospheric Winds Exist
The stratosphere is characterized by a variety of winds which affect the atmosphere. These winds are the result of the different temperature gradients that are formed due to the stratospheric temperature inversion layers. The winds present in the stratosphere usually blow in the same direction in all levels of the atmosphere. Another important element to note is that stratospheric winds blow more slowly than the tropospheric winds.
Fact 8: The Stratosphere is Home to Some Aircrafts
Due to its diverse chemical composition and lack of weather disturbances, the stratosphere is home to some aircrafts. These aircrafts fly at high altitudes and make use of the fact that air resistance at higher levels is much less than that on the ground. These aircrafts experience reduced engine drag and fuel consumption due to their low air pressure and hence can fly longer distances than conventional aircrafts.
Fact 9: The Stratosphere Contains the Auroras
The auroras are some of the most delightful phenomena in our natural world. They occur when radiation from the Sun interacts with the Earth’s atmosphere. This radiation gets channeled along the magnetic field lines of the Earth and gets trapped in the form of an aurora. These auroras are known to glow in the stratosphere and can be seen flickering in the night sky. It is believed that auroras are located somewhere between 70-400km above the Earth’s surface.
Fact 10: Ozone Perturbations are Found in the Stratosphere
The ozone layer in the stratosphere is highly vulnerable to human activities. Human activities have been known to drastically affect the ozone layer which in turn has an adverse effect on climate and temperature. This has led to a phenomenon known as ozone perturbations, which are changes in ozone concentration due to the effects of human activities. Ozone perturbations are usually found in the stratosphere and they can affect the global and local climates.
Fact 11: The Stratosphere has Over 500 Natural Satellites
The stratosphere is also home to over 500 natural satellites or meteoroids. These are small pieces of rock and metal that orbit the Earth. These meteoroids have been roaming around in the stratosphere for millions of years and cause meteor showers when they come crashing onto the Earth’s surface.
Fact 12: The Stratosphere is Home to a Highly Complex Dynamic Process
The stratosphere is home to several dynamic processes which are unique to this region of the atmosphere. These dynamic processes are highly complex and are still not completely understood. These processes are triggered by a variety of factors and require a suite of satellite and ground-based data to be developed and analyzed.
Fact 13: The Stratosphere Contains Stratospheric Sulfate Aerosols
The stratosphere is often filled with tiny particles known as stratospheric sulfate aerosols. These particles are believed to have an effect on the climate and there are several ongoing research projects on this topic. Stratospheric sulfate aerosols can be produced both naturally and artificially by humans.
Fact 14: The Stratosphere has its Own Climate System
The stratosphere has its own unique climate system which is characterized by the presence of the ozone layer, wind patterns, and the presence of stratospheric aerosols. This climate system has been observed to affect climate characteristics like temperatures, air pressure, and wind speed.
Fact 15: The Stratosphere is Home to a Variety of Atmospheric Phenomena
The stratosphere is home to a variety of atmospheric phenomena such as the polar vortex, auroras, meteors, and even alien submarines (no seriously, this has been reported). These phenomena are often not visible from the Earth’s surface and can only be observed from planes and satellites. This makes the stratosphere even more intriguing and captivating.
Conclusion
The stratosphere is a fascinating and complex layer of the Earth’s atmosphere. It is a unique portion of the upper atmosphere with diverse characteristics and features which are completely different from the troposphere. These 15 interesting facts about the stratosphere are just a sample of the wonders of this incredible region of the atmosphere.
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