At what altitude does the peak stratospheric ozone concentration occur?
Peak stratospheric ozone concentration occurs in the lower to middle stratosphere, at about 20 to 25 km (roughly 12 to 16 miles) above Earth’s surface. This altitude range is where ozone production by UV light and atmospheric circulation balance to create the ozone maximum.
What the question is really asking
You are being asked for the height in the atmosphere where ozone is most concentrated by volume, not where the stratosphere starts or ends.
Where ozone is highest in the stratosphere
Ozone is formed when ultraviolet (UV) radiation splits $O_2$ into oxygen atoms, which then combine with $O_2$ to make $O_3$. UV is strong higher up, but there is less air (less $O_2$) at high altitudes, so ozone production is limited there.
Why the maximum is around 20–25 km
Around $20\text{–}25\ \text{km}$, there is still enough UV to drive ozone formation and enough atmospheric density (more $O_2$ molecules) to supply the reactions. This “sweet spot” leads to the peak in ozone concentration in the stratosphere.
Extra context (optional)
The total ozone layer spans much of the stratosphere (roughly $15\text{–}35\ \text{km}$), but the concentration maximum is typically near $20\text{–}25\ \text{km}$.
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