Relating to a balance between pressure-gradient forces and the Coriolis effect in large-scale fluid motion, especially in ocean currents and winds.
From 'geo-' (earth) plus Greek 'strophikos' (turning), describing how Earth's rotation influences the direction of moving fluids.
The geostrophic balance is why hurricanes spin, ocean currents flow in giant circles, and weather patterns move the way they do—it's Earth's rotation literally bending wind and water into spirals.
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