ozone layer

See more synonyms for ozone layer on Thesaurus.com

noun

Meteorology. the layer of the upper atmosphere where most atmospheric ozone is concentrated, from about 8 to 30 miles (12 to 48 km) above the earth, with the maximum ozone concentration occurring at an altitude of about 12 miles (19 km).

Also called o·zo·no·sphere

[oh-zoh-nuh-sfeer] /oʊˈzoʊ nəˌsfɪər/.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

British Dictionary definitions for ozonosphere

ozonosphere

noun

another name for ozone layer

ozone layer

noun

the region of the stratosphere with the highest concentration of ozone molecules, which by absorbing high-energy solar ultraviolet radiation protects organisms on earthAlso called: ozonosphere

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

ozonosphere in Science

ozonosphere

[ō-zō′nə-sfîr′]

See ozone layer.

ozone layer

A region of the atmosphere, lying mostly in the stratosphere, containing relatively high levels of ozone, with the greatest concentrations occurring from about 15 to 30 km (10 to 19 mi) above the Earth's surface. The ozone absorbs large amounts of solar ultraviolet radiation, preventing it from reaching the Earth's surface. The concentration of ozone in the ozone layer is usually under 10 parts per million. Also called ozonosphere See Note at ozone.

ozonosphere in Culture

ozone layer

A band of ozone in the upper atmosphere. Ozone is a molecule made of three atoms of oxygen instead of the usual two.

Note

The ozone layer absorbs harmful ultraviolet radiation from the sun and is thus very important to the health of human beings and other life forms on Earth. The Earth's ozone layer could be at risk because of the action of chlorofluorocarbons, but international treaties have banned the production of these chemicals. The ozone layer is expected to return to normal in a few decades. (See ozone hole.)