Panorama of Fractals and Their Uses

Rivers

First, some calculations of the dimensions of rivers.

Box-Counting     Richardson's method     Area-Perimeter relationship

Here is a view of rivers, visible against the snow fields, in Norway. The image is from June 6, 2000, taken by the SeaWiFS satellite. Click the small picture to enlarge in a new window.

On a smaller scale, some rivers display visual fractals created by a combination of gravity and irregular rock surfaces. Consider the beautiful branching patterns of these waterfalls. Perhaps the rocks must be fractal to produce fractal waterfall branching. Click a picture to enlarge in a new window.