The atmospheric layer closest to the Earth’s surface is called the troposphere.
The troposphere extends from the Earth’s surface up to about 8 to 15 kilometers (5 to 9 miles) into the atmosphere, depending on where you are located. This layer is where we live and breathe, and it’s also where most of our weather occurs. As you rise through the troposphere, the temperature generally decreases, which is why it gets colder as you go higher up into the mountains.
Above the troposphere lies the stratosphere, but the troposphere is crucial for life on Earth as it contains the majority of the atmosphere’s mass, including water vapor, which is essential for precipitation and weather patterns.