Geometrical height is sometimes used synonymously with geodetic height, but the 
strict interpretation is height above the ellipsoid surface along a line from 
the center of the Earth to the surface.  Geodetic heights are normal to the 
ellipsoid surface.

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On Feb 7, 2014, at 1:25 PM, Jonathan Gregory <[email protected]> wrote:

> Dear Heiko
> 
>> 1. height above ground
> has standard_name of height, as you say
> 
>> 2. height above mean sea level
> I don't think we have a standard name for this yet, but height_above_sea_level
> would be consistent with existing names. For example, there is a stdname of
> sea_surface_height_above_sea_level.
> 
>> 3. depth below surface
> is depth, as you say.
> 
>> 4. geometrical height
> What does this mean? i.e. height above what reference level?
> 
> altitude is height above the geoid. Maybe that is geometrical height?
> 
>> And for pressure vertical coordinates: is the correct standard_name
>> 'air_pressure'?
> 
> Yes.
> 
>> Could these eventually be mentioned in the Convention besides the
>> standard_names for dimensionless vertical coordinates?
> 
> This sounds to me like another possible entry for a FAQ. Would that be a good
> idea?
> 
> Best wishes
> 
> Jonathan
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