Where is the "ozone layer" found?

The ozone layer is found in the stratosphere, which is the second major layer of Earth's atmosphere, located above the troposphere and below the mesosphere. This layer is crucial because it contains a high concentration of ozone (O3) molecules that absorb the majority of the sun's harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation. This shield protects living organisms on Earth from potential damage caused by UV radiation, such as skin cancer and cataracts in humans, as well as harm to various ecosystems.

In contrast, the troposphere is the lowest layer of the atmosphere, where we experience weather and where air pollution occurs but it has a much lower concentration of ozone. The mesosphere, situated above the stratosphere, is characterized by decreasing temperatures and is not significant for ozone concentration. The thermosphere, located above the mesosphere, is where many spacecraft orbit and contains a very sparse amount of ozone due to its high altitude and low density of gas molecules. Therefore, the stratosphere is the correct location for the ozone layer because of its essential role in absorbing UV radiation, preserving life on Earth.