diff --git a/config/benchmark_configs/climaatmos.yml b/config/benchmark_configs/climaatmos.yml
index e545ef9726..3ce9b1271e 100644
--- a/config/benchmark_configs/climaatmos.yml
+++ b/config/benchmark_configs/climaatmos.yml
@@ -21,6 +21,6 @@ rad: allskywithclear
 surface_setup: DefaultMoninObukhov
 t_end: 12hours
 turb_flux_partition: "CombinedStateFluxesMOST"
-vert_diff: "FriersonDiffusion"
+vert_diff: "DecayWithHeightDiffusion"
 z_elem: 63
 z_max: 55000.0
diff --git a/config/longrun_configs/slabplanet_aqua_atmos_sf_couple.yml b/config/longrun_configs/slabplanet_aqua_atmos_sf_couple.yml
index 7493bbd6db..4e443651b3 100644
--- a/config/longrun_configs/slabplanet_aqua_atmos_sf_couple.yml
+++ b/config/longrun_configs/slabplanet_aqua_atmos_sf_couple.yml
@@ -16,4 +16,4 @@ surface_setup: "DefaultMoninObukhov"
 t_end: "20days"
 turb_flux_partition: "CombinedStateFluxesMOST"
 use_land_diagnostics: false
-vert_diff: "FriersonDiffusion"
+vert_diff: "DecayWithHeightDiffusion"
diff --git a/config/longrun_configs/slabplanet_aqua_atmos_sf_nocouple.yml b/config/longrun_configs/slabplanet_aqua_atmos_sf_nocouple.yml
index 764274d669..a52aaa6004 100644
--- a/config/longrun_configs/slabplanet_aqua_atmos_sf_nocouple.yml
+++ b/config/longrun_configs/slabplanet_aqua_atmos_sf_nocouple.yml
@@ -16,4 +16,4 @@ surface_setup: "DefaultMoninObukhov"
 t_end: "20days"
 turb_flux_partition: "CombinedStateFluxesMOST"
 use_land_diagnostics: false
-vert_diff: "FriersonDiffusion"
+vert_diff: "DecayWithHeightDiffusion"
diff --git a/config/longrun_configs/slabplanet_aqua_coupler_sf.yml b/config/longrun_configs/slabplanet_aqua_coupler_sf.yml
index ae5bcf64cf..7357113e26 100644
--- a/config/longrun_configs/slabplanet_aqua_coupler_sf.yml
+++ b/config/longrun_configs/slabplanet_aqua_coupler_sf.yml
@@ -16,4 +16,4 @@ surface_setup: "PrescribedSurface"
 t_end: "20days"
 turb_flux_partition: "CombinedStateFluxesMOST"
 use_land_diagnostics: false
-vert_diff: "FriersonDiffusion"
+vert_diff: "DecayWithHeightDiffusion"
diff --git a/config/longrun_configs/slabplanet_aqua_coupler_sf_evolve_ocn.yml b/config/longrun_configs/slabplanet_aqua_coupler_sf_evolve_ocn.yml
index 4aca82c82f..fb9f85422d 100644
--- a/config/longrun_configs/slabplanet_aqua_coupler_sf_evolve_ocn.yml
+++ b/config/longrun_configs/slabplanet_aqua_coupler_sf_evolve_ocn.yml
@@ -15,4 +15,4 @@ surface_setup: "PrescribedSurface"
 t_end: "20days"
 turb_flux_partition: "CombinedStateFluxesMOST"
 use_land_diagnostics: false
-vert_diff: "FriersonDiffusion"
+vert_diff: "DecayWithHeightDiffusion"
diff --git a/config/longrun_configs/slabplanet_terra.yml b/config/longrun_configs/slabplanet_terra.yml
index 9db3573a9b..321dd7fb47 100644
--- a/config/longrun_configs/slabplanet_terra.yml
+++ b/config/longrun_configs/slabplanet_terra.yml
@@ -14,4 +14,4 @@ start_date: "20100101"
 surface_setup: "PrescribedSurface"
 t_end: "20days"
 turb_flux_partition: "CombinedStateFluxesMOST"
-vert_diff: "FriersonDiffusion"
+vert_diff: "DecayWithHeightDiffusion"
diff --git a/experiments/ClimaEarth/run_cloudless_aquaplanet.jl b/experiments/ClimaEarth/run_cloudless_aquaplanet.jl
index b32ff4387b..227104c45b 100644
--- a/experiments/ClimaEarth/run_cloudless_aquaplanet.jl
+++ b/experiments/ClimaEarth/run_cloudless_aquaplanet.jl
@@ -93,7 +93,7 @@ config_dict = Dict(
     "apply_limiter" => false,
     "viscous_sponge" => false,
     "rayleigh_sponge" => false,
-    "vert_diff" => "FriersonDiffusion",
+    "vert_diff" => "DecayWithHeightDiffusion",
     "hyperdiff" => "CAM_SE",
     # run
     "surface_setup" => "PrescribedSurface",
diff --git a/test/component_model_tests/climaatmos_standalone/longrun_aquaplanet_allsky_tvinsol_0M_slabocean.yml b/test/component_model_tests/climaatmos_standalone/longrun_aquaplanet_allsky_tvinsol_0M_slabocean.yml
index 9e57fafe9d..910936327a 100644
--- a/test/component_model_tests/climaatmos_standalone/longrun_aquaplanet_allsky_tvinsol_0M_slabocean.yml
+++ b/test/component_model_tests/climaatmos_standalone/longrun_aquaplanet_allsky_tvinsol_0M_slabocean.yml
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ rayleigh_sponge: true
 surface_setup: "DefaultMoninObukhov"
 t_end: "120days"
 coupler_toml: ["test/component_model_tests/climaatmos_standalone/longrun_aquaplanet.toml"]
-vert_diff: "FriersonDiffusion"
+vert_diff: "DecayWithHeightDiffusion"
 z_elem: 63
 z_max: 55000.0
 output_default_diagnostics: false