--- title: "What is the ozone layer?" description: "What is the ozone layer?" author: "Erick Wilsom" published: 2023-10-19 updated: 2023-10-21 canonical: https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/103913/what-is-the-ozone-layer category: "science" tags: ["science"] reading_time: 2 minutes --- # What is the ozone layer? ## Answers ### Answer by Saumya Mishra **The [ozone layer](https://yourviews.mindstick.com/story/1031/the-earth-s-ozone-layer-will-make-a-full-recovery-in-50-years) is an area of the** [**earth’s**](https://yourviews.mindstick.com/view/85560/explore-the-future-of-humans-on-earth) **stratosphere with a comparatively large number of O3 molecules. It is very important because it prevents some of the harmful UV radiation from destroying life on our planet.** - The ozone layer stretches across altitudes of about **10-30km** from the earth’s surface. Stratospheric ozone molecules absorb and dissipate the incoming UV [radiation](https://yourviews.mindstick.com/view/84343/wireless-radiation-impacts-the-brain) mainly comprising the **UV-B and UV-C** wavelengths. - These high-energy rays are absorbed and dissipated along their journey, thereby preventing them from reaching the earth’s surface in large quantities. Such UV radiations would cause increased cases of [skin cancer](https://www.mindstick.com/articles/126184/top-5-ways-to-prevent-skin-cancer) and cataract and environmental damage if they passed through unblocked. - In the last few years however, the human actions associated with the **degradation** of the ozone layer have become evident and are mostly attributed to the production and releases of ODS such as **chlorofluoric carbon** and **halon** respectively. As a result, the “**[ozone hole](https://yourviews.mindstick.com/view/70594/ozone-hole-is-filling-so-who-cares-about-global-warming-now)**” has been developed in some areas like [Antarctica](https://yourviews.mindstick.com/view/80737/finding-the-very-bottom-of-an-antarctic-glacier). - Ozone depletion is one among many global [environmental issues](https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/112949/what-innovative-approaches-do-universities-take-to-address-climate-change-and-environmental-issues) that expose life forms to the damaging effects of ultraviolet rays. The ozone layer is slowly recovering because some [international](https://yourviews.mindstick.com/view/81202/china-s-shifting-international-blocks-causing-more-chaos) programs such as the **Montreal Protocol** have been implemented in order to phase out numerous ODS. This delicate cover provides protection and ensures that [life on Earth](https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/98326/why-is-the-sun-important-for-life-on-earth) shall not be destroyed by the [harmful effects](https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/92686/harmful-effects-of-using-air-conditioner) of UV rays. --- Original Source: https://answers.mindstick.com/qa/103913/what-is-the-ozone-layer Copyright © MindStick Software Pvt. Ltd. This Markdown version is provided for developers, AI systems, and offline reading.