Fractal geometry and chaos theory: Their application in the Earth sciences

Journal Article · Thu Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1990 · AAPG Bulletin (American Association of Petroleum Geologists); (USA)

OSTI ID:5848008

Barton, C C ^[1]

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1. Geological Survey, Denver, CO (USA)

Fractal geometry and chaos theory are major advances over previous methods for quantifying complex pattern encountered in nature. They provide methods for quantifying complex patterns encountered in nature. They provide methods for creating highly complex, detailed, and accurate synthetic analogs of natural systems. They redefine the way we think mathematically about the behavior of natural systems, much as the theory of relatively brought a deeper level of understanding to physics. Like other branches of mathematics, they do not necessarily provide a physical or mechanistic understanding. However, in natural systems, fractal behavior often breaks down or changes to a different fractal dimension at scales where the physical changes. Systems and processes that exhibit fractal scaling, such as earthquakes, have been shown to be self-organized critical phenomena, which means that they internally establish their own dynamically stable critical points and transfer energy on cascading fractal structures. A challenge for the future will be to develop methods to go from a fractal pattern in nature to its governing nonlinear iterated equation. The use of fractal geometry and chaos theory in the earth sciences has increased greatly in the past five years. Fractal geometry and chaos theory are redefining the way that they conceptualize, measure, and model natural systems in the earth sciences.

• OSTI ID: 5848008
• Journal Information: AAPG Bulletin (American Association of Petroleum Geologists); (USA), Journal Name: AAPG Bulletin (American Association of Petroleum Geologists); (USA) Vol. 74:11; ISSN AABUD; ISSN 0149-1423
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

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