English

Avalanche size distribution in a random walk model

Condensed Matter 2007-05-23 v1

Abstract

We introduce a simple model for the size distribution of avalanches based on the idea that the front of an avalanche can be described by a directed random walk. The model captures some of the qualitative features of earthquakes, avalanches and other self-organized critical phenomena in one dimension. We find scaling laws relating the frequency, size and width of avalanches and an exponent 4/34/3 in the size distribution law.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.cond-mat/9607087,
  title  = {Avalanche size distribution in a random walk model},
  author = {T. Jonsson and J. F. Wheater},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:cond-mat/9607087},
  year   = {2007}
}

Comments

16 pages Latex, macros included, 3 postscript figures