Which one of the following is the correct sequence of layers as we move from the Earth’s surface upwards ?

The Earth's atmosphere is structured into distinct layers based on temperature gradients and physical properties. Moving upward from the Earth's surface, the correct sequence is the troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, and thermosphere [1][3]. The troposphere is the lowermost layer, extending to an average height of 13 km, where most weather phenomena occur [1][2]. Above the tropopause lies the stratosphere, reaching up to 50 km and containing the ozone layer [3]. The mesosphere follows, extending from 50 km to approximately 80-85 km, and is characterized by decreasing temperatures [3]. Beyond the mesopause is the thermosphere, which extends to about 700 km and experiences rising temperatures due to solar radiation absorption [3]. Some classifications also include the exosphere as the outermost region [3].

Sources

1. [1] FUNDAMENTALS OF PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY, Geography Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 7: Composition and Structure of Atmosphere > STRUCTURE OF THE ATMOSPHERE > p. 65
2. [3] Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Manjunath Thamminidi, PMF IAS (1st ed.) > Chapter 20: Earths Atmosphere > 20.2. Structure of The Earth's Atmosphere > p. 274
3. [2] Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 1: BASIC CONCEPTS OF ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY > Structure of the Atmosphere > p. 7