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The stratosphere
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Typical mid-latitude temperature profile
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The atmosphere can be divided into several distinct layers, as shown
in the diagram. Most of the work in the Met Office is concerned with
the troposphere, the part of the atmosphere where weather systems
occur. The troposphere extends from the Earth's surface to the tropopause
(about 10-16 km in altitude, depending on latitude), and is generally
characterised by temperatures which decrease with height. The stratosphere
extends from the tropopause to the stratopause, at about 50
km, and is characterised by a high static stability associated with
an overall increase of temperature with height. One important feature
of the stratosphere is the ozone layer, which protects the Earth by
absorbing much of the ultraviolet radiation from the Sun. The mesosphere
extends from the stratopause to about 90 km; together the stratosphere
and mesosphere make up the middle atmosphere. |
| Stratospheric modelling
and analysis |
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The Middle Atmosphere group, part of NWP, carries out research and
development work to improve the analysis of stratospheric observations
and the simulation of stratospheric dynamics by numerical models,
with the ultimate aim of improving weather forecasting.
More about stratospheric
modelling and analysis
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The ozone layer lies within the stratosphere and it is important because
it protects the Earth from much of the Sun's ultraviolet radiation.
There is much concern that the concentration of ozone is being depleted,
resulting in more harmful radiation reaching the Earth's surface.
Ozone measurements over the UK are routinely made at Lerwick in the
Shetland Islands and Camborne in Cornwall.
More about ozone.
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The stratospheric processes group investigates the impact of changes in
greenhouse gases and halogen loadings on stratospheric ozone and
temperature and provides future predictions of these quantities.
Studies are also under way into the impact of the 27-day rotation
period of the Sun and the 11-year solar cycle.
More about stratospheric processes.
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