THEORY OF SELF-ORGANIZATION IN SORTED STONE STRIPES

The dynamics of self-organisation in simulated sorted stripes are considered. Basic random-walk theory is used to predict that the evolution follows power-law kinetics with the emergence of an asymptotic scaling state. The simulated patterns confirm these predictions with good correspondence being found between measured and calculated distributions of stripe sizes. Taking account of the dimensional difference between real and simulated stripes, a favourable comparison between theory and patterns observed on alpine slopes is also found. This novel application of scaling theory therefore explains the surprising order found in this natural phenomenon.