GEO 125

Physical Geography

Structure of the Atmosphere

Vertical zonation of the atmosphere based upon temperature variations

• Troposphere (0 to 8 miles) (the occurrence of weather and pollution)
• Stratosphere (8 to 35 miles) (occurrence of the ozone layer between 12 to 24 miles)
• Mesosphere (35 to 50 miles)
• Thermosphere (50 to 80 miles)
• Isothermal layers (tropopause, stratopause, and mesopause)

Temperature variation in the atmosphere

• Troposphere (negative relationship between temperature and altitude caused by the heating of the trpopsphere by longwave terrestrial (infrared) radiation from the earth's surface
• Stratosphere (positive relationship between temperature and altitude cause by ozone abosorbing heat energy and then raditiating the absorded heat energy in the ozone layer

Variations in atmospheric pressure

• 98% of the atmosphere's gas molecules are found within 16 miles of the earth's surface
• Standard atmospheric pressure at mean-sea-level is approximately 15 pounds per square inch
• Negative relationship between atmospheric pressure and altitude
• Atmospheric pressures act in all directions: Tornado example

Main Menu