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Fractals in geology and geophysicsThe definition of a fractal distribution is that the number of objects N with a characteristic size greater than r scales with the relation N of about r exp -D. The frequency-size distributions for islands, earthquakes, fragments, ore deposits, and oil fields often satisfy this relation. This application illustrates a fundamental aspect of fractal distributions, scale invariance. The requirement of an object to define a scale in photograhs of many geological features is one indication of the wide applicability of scale invariance to geological problems; scale invariance can lead to fractal clustering. Geophysical spectra can also be related to fractals; these are self-affine fractals rather than self-similar fractals. Examples include the earth's topography and geoid.
Document ID
19900029238
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
External Source(s)
Authors
Turcotte, Donald L.
(Cornell University Ithaca, NY, United States)
Date Acquired
August 14, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1989
Publication Information
Publication: Pure and Applied Geophysics
Volume: 131
Issue: 2-Jan
ISSN: 0033-4553
Subject Category
Geophysics
Accession Number
90A16293
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAG5-319
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAS5-27340
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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