GEO 100 Lecture Notes - Lecture 3: Thermosphere, Stratopause, Hydrosphere
Document Summary
Keep earth"s surface warm enough for water to stay liquid and life to flourish. Without it, the earth would be too cold. Greenhouse gases hold on to energy so it doesn"t escape. About of solar radiation is reflected back into space. Non- reflected energy is absorbed, then re-radiated as infrared radiation (heat) Heat attempts to escape; but is intercepted by greenhouse gases. E. g. snow and ice have a high albedo, charcoal is low. Lowest region of the atmosphere- where we live! Extends to a height of 3. 7 to nearly 12 miles above the earth"s surface. Varies with latitude (lowest over poles, highest at equator) and season (lowest in the winter and the highest in the summer) Air is warmest at the bottom near ground level. Most of the mass (75-80%) of the atmosphere is in troposphere. Most types of clouds are found here. Separated from the troposphere by the tropopause . Sits at a height between 6. 2 and 3. 1 miles.
