FastFind »   Lastname: doi:10.1029/ Year: Advanced Search  

AGU: Journal of Geophysical Research, Solid Earth

 
Abstract
Cited By (3)
 

Abstract

Is Old Faithful a strange attractor?

Michael J. Nicholl

Desert Research Institute, University of Nevada System, Reno

Stephen W. Wheatcraft

Desert Research Institute, University of Nevada System, Reno

Scott W. Tyler

Desert Research Institute, University of Nevada System, Reno

Brian Berkowitz

Department of Geological Sciences University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada

Geysers are systems that exhibit hydrothermal eruptive behavior at irregular and, occasionally, relatively regular intervals. Because geyser dynamics are governed by strongly nonlinear differential equations, it is reasonable to expect that these systems are capable of displaying chaotic behavior. Geyser dynamics are shown to be analogous to a simple conceptual model known to exhibit chaotic behavior. State space reconstructions of eruption interval data then show that the geyser Old Faithful erupts at chaotic intervals. Establishing the system as chaotic explains the inability to predict long-term eruptive behavior of Old Faithful.

Received 7 December 1992; accepted 7 September 1993; .

Citation: Nicholl, M. J., S. W. Wheatcraft, S. W. Tyler, and B. Berkowitz (1994), Is Old Faithful a strange attractor?, J. Geophys. Res., 99(B3), 4495–4503.

Cited By

Please wait one moment ...