Fractional dynamics and MDS visualization of earthquake phenomena

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2013

Authors

lopes, am (Author) FEUP; machado, jat (Author) Other; pinto, cma (Author) Other; galhano, amsf (Author) Other

Journal

Title: COMPUTERS & MATHEMATICS WITH APPLICATIONS

Vol. 66

Pages: 647-658

ISSN: 0898-1221

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 47 Citations

Scopus - 54 Citations

Scientific classification

FOS: Natural sciences > Computer and information sciences

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-006-7PY

DOI: 10.1016/j.camwa.2013.02.003

Abstract (EN): This paper analyses earthquake data in the perspective of dynamical systems and fractional calculus (FC). This new standpoint uses Multidimensional Scaling (MDS) as a powerful clustering and visualization tool. FC extends the concepts of integrals and derivatives to non-integer and complex orders. MDS is a technique that produces spatial or geometric representations of complex objects, such that those objects that are perceived to be similar in some sense are placed on the MDS maps forming clusters. In this study, over three million seismic occurrences, covering the period from January 1, 1904 up to March 14, 2012 are analysed. The events are characterized by their magnitude and spatiotemporal distributions and are divided into fifty groups, according to the Flinn-Engdahl (F-E) seismic regions of Earth. Several correlation indices are proposed to quantify the similarities among regions. MDS maps are proven as an intuitive and useful visual representation of the complex relationships that are present among seismic events, which may not be perceived on traditional geographic maps. Therefore, MDS constitutes a valid alternative to classic visualization tools for understanding the global behaviour of earthquakes.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 12