♻️ap environmental science review

Ozone Layer

Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 examWritten by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025

Definition

The ozone layer is a region in Earth's stratosphere that contains a high concentration of ozone (O3) molecules. It plays a crucial role in absorbing and filtering out most of the sun's harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation before it reaches the Earth's surface.