Diagram of Atmosphere Layers

Randy Russell, UCAR

This diagram illustrates some of the features and phenomena found in the various layers of Earth's atmosphere. Starting from ground level, the layers include the troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere and thermosphere. The exosphere, which is above the thermosphere, is not shown in the diagram. Phenomena include noctilucent clouds, sprites, meteors, and a sounding rocket in the mesosphere; weather balloon, polar stratospheric clouds, a sply play, a commercial jet, cirrus clouds and the ozone layer in the stratosphere; and cumulonimbus clouds, stratocumulus clouds, and the peak of Mount Everest in the troposphere.