Path: utzoo!mnetor!tmsoft!torsqnt!lethe!yunexus!ists!helios.physics.utoronto.ca!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!uunet!shelby!portia.stanford.edu!hanauma!rick From: rick@hanauma.stanford.edu (Richard Ottolini) Newsgroups: comp.graphics Subject: Re: Fractal applications Message-ID: <1991Feb19.170649.14391@portia.Stanford.EDU> Date: 19 Feb 91 17:06:49 GMT References: <1991Feb19.123953.6959@topaz.ucq.edu.au> Sender: news@portia.Stanford.EDU (Mr News) Organization: Stanford University, Department of Geophysics Lines: 23 In article <1991Feb19.123953.6959@topaz.ucq.edu.au> enzerinkp@topaz.ucq.edu.au writes: >I am gathering information on the use of Fractals in non-graphic applications. >I am aware that Fractals are being used for data compression, how about data >encryption. Any information you may have in either of these fields would be >invaluable. Thanx in advance. How about the use of fractals in science? In order of increasing difficulty and decreasing use are applications to (1) describe, (2) explain, (3) predict phenomena. My expertise in the earth sciences. Fractals as description: There have been many books that show how fractals can describe natural phenomena such as landscapes, cracks in rocks, earthquake aftershock distributions. Fractals as explanation: The observed fractal distribution of fractures in rock constrains explanations of causes these fractures. The fractal pattern of aftershocks may be related to fractal nature of fractures. Fractals as prediction: The probability of earthquake aftershocks decreases in a fractal manner. This is waht you here from seismologists after a large earthquake. Imicisble fluids can interfinger in a fractal manner. This helps petroleum engineers understand how injection recovery methods will perform and hydrologist how water and polutants flow in the earth. Geological layers are fractal. Earth noise is fractal. This constrains time series analysis in inverting seismic recordings for earth images. Brought to you by Super Global Mega Corp .com