Science & Nature · 2
Which layer of Earth's atmosphere is responsible for absorbing the majority of the Sun's harmful ultraviolet radiation?
Answer
Stratosphere
The stratosphere, which extends roughly 12 to 50 km above Earth's surface, contains the ozone layer — a concentration of ozone (O₃) molecules that absorbs between 97% and 99% of the Sun's harmful ultraviolet radiation. Without it, life on Earth's surface would be far more exposed to DNA-damaging UV rays.
💡 Did you know?
The ozone layer was discovered in 1913, but scientists didn't realize humans were destroying it until 1974 — the same year spray cans were at peak popularity.
Other options people guess
- Troposphere
- Mesosphere
- Thermosphere
Topics
- atmosphere
- earth-science
- ozone
- nature
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