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Fractal analysis: A new remote sensing tool for lava flowsMany important quantitative parameters have been developed that relate to the rheology and eruption and emplacement mechanics of lavas. This research centers on developing additional, unique parameters, namely the fractal properties of lava flows, to add to this matrix of properties. There are several methods of calculating the fractal dimension of a lava flow margin. We use the 'structured walk' or 'divider' method. In this method, we measure the length of a given lava flow margin by walking rods of different lengths along the margin. Since smaller rod lengths transverse more smaller-scaled features in the flow margin, the apparent length of the flow outline will increase as the length of the measuring rod decreases. By plotting the apparent length of the flow outline as a function of the length of the measuring rod on a log-log plot, fractal behavior can be determined. A linear trend on a log-log plot indicates that the data are fractal. The fractal dimension can then be calculated from the slope of the linear least squares fit line to the data. We use this 'structured walk' method to calculate the fractal dimension of many lava flows using a wide range of rod lengths, from 1/8 to 16 meters, in field studies of the Hawaiian islands. We also use this method to calculate fractal dimensions from aerial photographs of lava flows, using lengths ranging from 20 meters to over 2 kilometers. Finally, we applied this method to orbital images of extraterrestrial lava flows on Venus, Mars, and the Moon, using rod lengths up to 60 kilometers.
Document ID
19920021980
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Bruno, B. C.
(Hawaii Univ. Honolulu, HI, United States)
Taylor, G. J.
(Hawaii Univ. Honolulu, HI, United States)
Rowland, S. K.
(Hawaii Univ. Honolulu, HI, United States)
Lucey, P. G.
(Hawaii Univ. Honolulu, HI, United States)
Self, S.
(Hawaii Univ. Honolulu, HI, United States)
Date Acquired
September 6, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1992
Publication Information
Publication: Lunar and Planetary Inst., Twenty-Third Lunar and Planetary Science Conference
Subject Category
Lunar And Planetary Exploration
Accession Number
92N31224
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.
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