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stratosphere

stratosphere

23 6.5
A high layer of air above the weather layer that has ozone and blocks harmful sun rays
  • noun
  • /ˈstrætəˌsfɪr/
  • Specialized
translation icon : estratosfera
  • Above the island, high in the stratosphere, a white whirlwind appeared.
  • ozone in the stratosphere
  • upper stratosphere
  • troposphere and stratosphere

Most ultraviolet radiation from the sun gets stuck in the stratosphere thanks to ozone.

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Examples

  • You are now in the upper stratosphere, on course, and proceeding to your destination.

  • Aerosols in the stratosphere reflect sunlight.

  • To your right, you will see heavy electrical activity in the upper stratosphere.

  • This means that the stratosphere becomes better at getting rid of energy, which means it cools.

  • High in the stratosphere, a thin layer of ozone gas circles the Earth.

  • Most ultraviolet radiation from the sun gets stuck in the stratosphere thanks to ozone.

  • The chlorine found in the stratosphere comes principally from chlorofluorocarbons.

    Academic text (1998)
  • When the ozone level in the stratosphere is reduced, damaging UV radiation reaches the earth's surface.

    Academic text (1991)
  • Some environmentalists feared that the water vapor injected into the stratosphere would cause ozone depletion or excess cloud cover.

    Academic text (1993)
  • High in the stratosphere, a thin layer of ozone gas circles the Earth.

Idioms

Much higher than normal or expected

How High

exosphere
  • Specialized
1 9.9
thermosphere
  • Specialized
2 9.5
mesosphere
  • Specialized
2 9.5
stratosphere
  • Specialized
23 6.5
troposphere
  • Specialized
8 7.4

Surface Forms

stratosphere singular
stratospheres plural

Morphology

stratosphere = sphere (opaque) = strato + sphere

The term 'stratosphere' is a scientific term that is not transparently constructed from its immediate base 'sphere' for average learners.

Etymology

Stratosphere comes from the parts strato- meaning 'layer', seen in stratum and strata, and -sphere meaning 'ball' or 'round', seen in sphere. So the stratosphere is the 'layer' of air that forms a round shell high above the Earth.