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What is the ozone layer?

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Quick answer

The ozone layer is a region high in the atmosphere rich in ozone gas that absorbs most of the Sun's harmful ultraviolet radiation. It acts like Earth's sunscreen, shielding life from UV rays that damage DNA and cause skin cancer.

Key things to understand

  1. It sits in the stratosphere, about 15–35 km up.
  2. Ozone (O₃) absorbs most dangerous ultraviolet light.
  3. It protects life from UV damage to DNA and cells.
  4. Human-made chemicals (CFCs) thinned it, creating an 'ozone hole.'
  5. A global ban on CFCs is letting it slowly recover.

People also ask

What does the ozone layer do?
It absorbs most of the Sun's harmful ultraviolet radiation, shielding living things from UV damage to DNA, skin, and eyes.
What caused the ozone hole?
Human-made chemicals called CFCs (once in sprays and refrigerants) drifted up and destroyed ozone, thinning the layer over Antarctica.
Is the ozone layer recovering?
Yes — after the world banned CFCs under the 1987 Montreal Protocol, the layer has slowly been healing.