Above: Diagram shows atmospheric layers and complex temperature trends. The Earth's surface shows a warming trend, while the lower troposphere, from 0 to 8 kilometers (0 - 5 miles) shows slight cooling, the upper troposphere, from 8 to 13 kilometers (5-8 miles) shows warming, and the lower stratosphere, from 13 to 19 kilometers (8-12 miles) is cooling.

Satellite measurements show a highly complex temperature structure throughout Earth's atmosphere. Temperature measurements at the Earth's surface indicate a warming trend, whereas satellite measurements show both warming and cooling - depending on where you look. Plots of satellite-measured temperature variations over the last 21 years are available for the Lower Stratosphere and the Lower Troposphere. Also, check out this Java animation of the temperature variations as measured by satellite.

updated: July 21, 2000

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Curator Bryan Walls
NASA Official: John M. Horack