Question map
In which layer of the atmosphere do most weather phenomena occur ?
Explanation
The troposphere is the lowermost layer of Earth's atmosphere, extending from the surface to an average height of approximately 13 km [c3]. It is characterized by containing roughly 90% of the atmosphere's total mass and nearly all of its water vapor and moisture [c1][t4]. Because of this high concentration of water vapor and the presence of strong convectional currents, almost all weather phenomena, including the formation of clouds, rain, and snow, occur within this layer [c2][t3][t8]. In contrast, the stratosphere is largely free from clouds and associated weather phenomena, providing stable conditions for aviation [c4]. The troposphere's thickness varies by latitude, being deepest at the equator (up to 18 km) due to intense heat transport [c3]. Consequently, it is the primary region where observable meteorological events take place [t7].
Sources
- [1] Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 1: BASIC CONCEPTS OF ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY > Structure of the Atmosphere > p. 7
- [2] Exploring Society:India and Beyond ,Social Science-Class VII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 2: Understanding the Weather > What is weather? > p. 28
- [3] FUNDAMENTALS OF PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY, Geography Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 7: Composition and Structure of Atmosphere > STRUCTURE OF THE ATMOSPHERE > p. 65
- [4] Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Manjunath Thamminidi, PMF IAS (1st ed.) > Chapter 20: Earths Atmosphere > Stratosphere (12 to 50 km) > p. 275
- [5] https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/earth-and-planetary-sciences/troposphere
- [6] https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/parts-atmosphere/