The protective ozone layer is located in the Earth's stratosphere, approximately between 15 and 35 kilometers (9 to 22 miles) above the surface. This layer contains a relatively high concentration of ozone molecules, which absorb most of the Sun's harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation, particularly UVB rays, protecting living organisms on Earth from damage. The ozone layer's altitude varies slightly by latitude and season, with peak ozone concentrations typically between 20 and 25 km in midlatitudes and around 26 to 28 km in the tropics.