Fractal Properties of the D-D Terrain
Abstract
The goal of this project has been to understand the three dimensional scaling properties of terrain. In this final report, an overview of the project is given and some of the main results are summarized. The project followed five main thrusts. First, methods for the generation, characterization, and inference of multifractals were developed. Second, precise conditions for basin scaling (self-similar or multifractal) were determined. Third, it was shown that a variety of new and existing scaling laws are explained by the underlying self-similarity condition. Fourth, a wide class of detachment limited models were shown to be consistent with the basin scaling conditions under certain restrictions on the model parameters. In addition, the attraction to self-similar states was studied numerically. Fifth, a method for topographic interpolation was designed using a physical model that develops self-similar topography. These results address primary questions in geomorphology and have potential applications in areas such as terrain simulation, topographic interpolation, detection of unnatural features, and landscape restoration and management.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1999
- Accession Number
- ADA370118
Entities
People
- Rafael L. Bras
Organizations
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology