troposphere

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atmosphere: vertical structure

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troposphere

atmospheric region

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Written and fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last Updated: Nov 8, 2024 • Article History

Related Topics:: planetary boundary layer; Keeling Curve; jet stream; traveling wave; standing wave

On the Web:: NOAA Chemical Sciences Laboratory - Tropospheric Chemistry (Nov. 08, 2024)

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troposphere, lowest region of the atmosphere, bounded by the Earth beneath and the stratosphere above, with its upper boundary being the tropopause, about 10–18 km (6–11 miles) above the Earth’s surface.

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The troposphere is characterized by decreasing temperature with height and is distinguished from the overlying stratosphere by a region of nearly constant temperature in the lower stratosphere. Most of the clouds and weather systems are contained within the troposphere.

This article was most recently revised and updated by Amy Tikkanen.