Stratosphere: The stratosphere is characterized by a slight temperature increase with altitude and the absence of clouds. The stratosphere extends between 11 and 31 miles (17 to 50 kilometers) above the earth's ozone layer is located in the stratosphere. Ozone,a from of oxygen,is crucial to our survival;this layer absorbs a lot of ultraviolet solar energy. Only the highest clouds (cirrus,cirrostratus,and cirrocumulus)are in the lower stratosphere.