Hydrostatic approximation
From Glossary of Meteorology
hydrostatic approximation
- The assumption that the atmosphere is in hydrostatic equilibrium.
Same as quasi-hydrostatic approximation.
- An approximation in geophysical fluid dynamics that is based on the assumption that the horizontal scale is large compared to the vertical scale, such that the vertical pressure gradient may be given as the product of density times the gravitational acceleration.
See hydrostatic balance.
