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You are here: Home / Space / Why Does Earth Have an Atmosphere and What Are the Different Layers of the Atmosphere Called?

Why Does Earth Have an Atmosphere and What Are the Different Layers of the Atmosphere Called?

June 15, 2020 by Karen Hill

The planet Earth has an atmosphere, and it is segmented into layers.

The troposphere begins at the planet’s surface and extends between 6 (10 km) and 10 miles (16 km) high.

Above that, the stratosphere reaches 30 miles (50 km) from Earth’s surface.

The next 20 miles (33 km) is called the mesosphere, and after that comes the thermosphere, which stretches up 400 miles (600 km) into the atmosphere.

After the thermosphere comes outer space, which we call the exosphere.

The Earth’s atmosphere exists because the planet has a large enough mass to hold the gases in place via gravitational force.

Related Facts

  • What Is the Exosphere, How High and Cold Is the Exosphere, and What Does the Word Exosphere Mean?
  • What Is the Thermosphere, How Cold and High Is the Thermosphere, and What Does Thermosphere Mean In Greek?
  • Does the Moon Have an Atmosphere and Is the Moon’s Atmosphere Similar To Earth’s Atmosphere?
  • What Is the Mesosphere, How Cold and High Is the Mesosphere, and What Does the Word Mesosphere Mean In Greek?
  • The Best 20 Inventions Ever Invented
  • Who Discovered Atmospheric Layers and What is the difference between the troposphere and the stratosphere?

Filed Under: Space

About Karen Hill

Karen Hill is a freelance writer, editor, and columnist. Born in New York, her work has appeared in the Examiner, Yahoo News, Buzzfeed, among others.

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