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Percolation framework of the Earth's topography
Jingfang Fan1, Jun Meng1, Abbas Ali Saberi2,3,4
1Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, 14412 Potsdam, Germany.
Physical Review. E
|April 3, 2019
Summary
Earth's topography exhibits self-similarity and long-range correlations. Percolation theory reveals discontinuous geometrical phase transitions in Earth's relief network, potentially linked to continental aggregation and climate change vulnerability.
Area of Science:
- Geophysics
- Earth Sciences
- Complex Systems
Background:
- Earth's surface topography displays self-similarity and long-range correlations.
- Understanding these geometrical features is crucial for Earth system science.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the geometrical features of Earth's topography using percolation theory.
- To analyze abrupt transitions and their implications for continental aggregation and climate change.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of high-resolution ETOPO1 global relief data (1 arc-min).
- Application of finite-size-scaling analysis and coarse-graining procedures.
- Modeling percolation on 2D fractional Brownian motion surfaces with varying Hurst exponents (H).
Main Results:
- Evidence for abrupt, discontinuous geometrical phase transitions in Earth's relief network.
- Long-range correlations in topography may drive these observed discontinuities.
- Identification of critical nodes susceptible to global climate change impacts.
Conclusions:
- Percolation theory provides a framework for understanding Earth's topographical phase transitions.
- The study highlights the role of long-range correlations in shaping Earth's geological evolution.
- Identified critical nodes offer insights into climate change vulnerability assessment.