The atmosphere is the layer of gases which surrounds the Earth. It contains the following mixture: nitrogen (78,08%) oxygen (20,95%)

Temperature in the stratosphere rises with increasing altitude, because the ozone layer absorbs the greater part of the solar ultraviolet radiation. The ozone layer is an absorbing agent that protects life on Earth.

In the stratosphere, temperature increases with altitude. The reason is that the direct heat source for the stratosphere is the Sun. A layer of ozone molecules absorbs solar radiation, which heats the stratosphere.

Many geologists believe that the mantle “flows” because of convection currents. Convection currents are caused by the very hot material at the deepest part of the mantle rising, then cooling, sinking again and then heating, rising and repeating the cycle over and over.

The special feature of the upper mantle is the asthenosphere. It is located just below the lithosphere and is made up of rock that is fluid and can move. Its chemical composition is very similar to the crust.

several centimeters per year

The flow of matter by convection in the solid mantle and the sinking of cold, dense crust back into the mantle exert forces on crustal plates that then move, producing tectonic activity. The addition of a significant amount of thermal energy released by radioactive decay in Earth’s crust and mantle.

Mantle convection is the very slow creeping motion of Earth’s solid silicate mantle caused by convection currents carrying heat from the interior to the planet’s surface. The Earth’s surface lithosphere rides atop the asthenosphere and the two form the components of the upper mantle.

The first difference between the upper mantle and lower mantle is their location. The upper mantle adjoins the crust to form the lithosphere, whereas the lower mantle never comes in contact with the crust.

mesosphere