Collaborator(s) sought for fractal analysis of Jewel Cave.

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Collaborator(s) sought for fractal analysis of Jewel Cave.

Postby Rane Curl » Aug 26, 2006 1:37 pm

I am seeking computer-programmer collaborator(s) for a project to do a fractal analysis of Jewel Cave. The method is described in

R. L. Curl, 1986, Fractal dimensions and geometries of caves: Math. Geol., vol. 18, no. 2, p. 765-783.

In this case the cave survey database is that accumulated by Jewel Cave National Park. To do the fractal analysis requires understanding the fractal analysis algorithm and the database, and writing code to extract the information needed for the fractal analysis. My roles would be to provide and adapt the fractal analysis algorithm for the particular database structure, the interpretation of results of the analysis, and guiding the preparation of reports and publications.

I am already in contact with the Jewel Cave cave specialist about this, but need to find collaborator(s) for the computer work, and submit the research proposal (which has been written).

This would probably be a one or two year project, and I expect would require some concentrated effort. The results should be a report and publications in the geological literature coauthored with my collaborator(s). This is also a potential thesis topic if an university advisor can be found to participate.

Very briefly, the fractal analysis consists of numerically "filling" the cave with abutting "linked modular elements" (LMEs, spheres) between all survey stations, whose diameters at the survey stations are the lesser of LR and UP lenths, and determining the statistical distribution of their sizes. This has been found to be hyperbolic (inidicating fractal self-similarity) for two other caves studied. Further analysis of these data may permit estimations of passages not yet discovered in the Jewel Cave system, for comparison with the estimates that have been made be means of barometric winds.

I have announced this opportunity a couple of times in other media. Two persons have inquired, but circumstances have prevented their participation.

If you are interested, or have questions, please e-mail me.

--Rane L Curl
ranecurl@umich.edu
Rane Curl
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