What is the primary region where the ozone layer is located?

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The ozone layer is primarily located in the stratosphere, which is the second layer of Earth's atmosphere. This region extends approximately 10 to 50 kilometers above the Earth's surface. The stratosphere contains a high concentration of ozone (O₃) molecules, which play a critical role in absorbing the majority of the sun's harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation. By filtering out these UV rays, the ozone layer protects living organisms on Earth from potential damage such as skin cancer and other harmful effects.

In contrast, the troposphere is the lowest layer of the atmosphere, where weather occurs and where life exists, but it contains much less ozone. The mesosphere, above the stratosphere, lacks significant amounts of ozone, while the thermosphere, the uppermost layer, is characterized by very few gas molecules, including ozone, and is known for its high temperatures and the presence of ionized gases. Therefore, the stratosphere is the definitive region where our planet's protective ozone layer resides.

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