Which layer of the atmosphere contains the ozone layer?

The stratosphere is the layer of the atmosphere that contains the ozone layer, which plays a crucial role in protecting life on Earth. Ozone, a molecule made up of three oxygen atoms (O3), absorbs the majority of the sun's harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation. This absorption helps to prevent skin cancer, cataracts, and other UV-related health issues, as well as protecting ecosystems. The presence of the ozone layer in the stratosphere is fundamental to the stability of life on the planet, emphasizing its importance within the atmospheric structure.

The troposphere, which is the layer closest to Earth's surface, primarily contains the weather phenomena we experience, but it does not house the ozone layer. The mesosphere above the stratosphere is where temperatures decrease with altitude and meteors burn up upon entering the atmosphere. The thermosphere, which is even higher, is characterized by extremely high temperatures due to the absorption of solar radiation and contains the ionosphere, which aids in radio communication but does not contain the ozone layer.