\[P=\rho gh\]
Variables
Plithostatic pressure (Pa)
rhorock density (kg/m³)
ggravitational acceleration (m/s²)
hdepth below surface (m)
Description
What is this formula?
This formula calculates the lithostatic pressure generated by the weight of overlying rock layers at a given depth inside the Earth.
When to use it
Use this equation when estimating underground pressure conditions in geology, mining, petroleum engineering, and geophysics.
Example
Calculate the lithostatic pressure at a depth of 3500 m in rock with a density of 2700 kg/m³.
Data:
rho = 2700 kg/m³
g = 9.81 m/s²
h = 3500 m
Formula:
P = rho*g*h
Substitution:
P = 2700*9.81*3500
Result:
P = 9.27 × 10^7 Pa
Applications
- Geophysical modeling
- Petroleum reservoir analysis
- Mining engineering
- Crustal stress calculations
- Deep Earth studies