Geostrophic asymptotics of the primitive equations of the atmosphere
Due to the fact that the vertical scale of the atmosphere is much smaller than the horizontal one, the vertical momentum equation of the general equations of motion of the atmosphere can be approximated by the hydrostatic equation. This leads to the primitive equations of the atmosphere. If the viscosity terms are retained in the vertical momentum equation these equations are called primitive equations with vertical viscosity. The paper justifies the Rossby adjustment for these equations. This adjustment describes the behaviour of the atmosphere under action of the Coriolis force and explains why atmosphere and ocean are always close to geostrophic equilibrium.
scientific article; zbMATH DE number 828285