Arrange the following layers of atmosphere vertically from the surface of the Earth : 1. Mesosphere 2. Troposphere 3. Stratosphere 4. Thermosphere Select the correct answer using the code given below :

The Earth's atmosphere is vertically stratified into distinct layers based on temperature gradients and density. Starting from the Earth's surface and moving upwards, the sequence begins with the troposphere, which is the lowermost layer extending to an average height of 13 km and containing most weather phenomena [2]. Above the troposphere lies the stratosphere, extending up to 50 km, where the ozone layer is located [3]. The third layer is the mesosphere, reaching up to approximately 80-85 km, characterized by decreasing temperatures [3]. Finally, the thermosphere starts above the mesosphere and extends to about 700 km, where temperatures rise significantly due to solar radiation [3]. Therefore, the correct vertical arrangement from the surface is Troposphere (2), Stratosphere (3), Mesosphere (1), and Thermosphere (4), corresponding to the sequence 2-3-1-4.

Sources

1. [1] FUNDAMENTALS OF PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY, Geography Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 7: Composition and Structure of Atmosphere > STRUCTURE OF THE ATMOSPHERE > p. 65
2. [2] Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Manjunath Thamminidi, PMF IAS (1st ed.) > Chapter 20: Earths Atmosphere > 20.2. Structure of The Earth's Atmosphere > p. 274
3. [3] Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Manjunath Thamminidi, PMF IAS (1st ed.) > Chapter 20: Earths Atmosphere > Stratosphere (12 to 50 km) > p. 275