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Statistical physics approaches to the complex Earth system
Jingfang Fan1,2, Jun Meng3,1, Josef Ludescher1
1Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, Potsdam 14412, Germany.
Physics Reports
|October 12, 2020
Summary
Statistical physics and complex systems science offer new ways to understand and predict Earth system events like climate extremes and earthquakes. These advanced methods improve our ability to forecast disruptive phenomena.
Area of Science:
- Earth System Science
- Statistical Physics
- Complex Systems Science
Background:
- Global warming, extreme climate events, and earthquakes pose significant risks.
- Predicting these disruptive events is challenging due to Earth system complexity and nonlinear feedbacks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the application of statistical physics and complex systems science to Earth system science.
- To highlight how these approaches enhance understanding and prediction of Earth system dynamics.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing concepts from statistical physics, including critical phenomena, network theory, percolation, tipping points analysis, and entropy.
- Applying complex systems science techniques to analyze nonlinear feedbacks and interactions within the Earth system.
Main Results:
- Novel statistical physics and complex networks-based techniques have advanced knowledge of climate extremes and earthquakes.
- These methods have led to substantially improved predictive performances for Earth system events.
Conclusions:
- Integrating statistical physics and complex systems science provides new insights into Earth system dynamics.
- These approaches offer valuable tools for understanding and predicting critical events in the Earth system.
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