What defines the troposphere?

The troposphere is defined as the layer of Earth's atmosphere that contains the majority of weather phenomena. This is because it is the lowest layer of the atmosphere, extending from the Earth's surface up to an altitude of about 8 to 15 kilometers, depending on the location (higher in tropical regions and lower at the poles). In this layer, temperature generally decreases with altitude, and it is where clouds form, precipitation occurs, and all weather-related activities take place. The presence of water vapor and the convection processes that drive weather patterns make the troposphere crucial for the climate and atmospheric changes we experience daily.

While ozone is concentrated in the stratosphere (which is above the troposphere), commercial air traffic primarily operates in the lower to mid-stratosphere, above the troposphere. The layer above the tropopause is indeed the stratosphere, which is characterized by a temperature inversion and a relatively stable atmosphere, further distinguishing it from the dynamic troposphere.