Fractal properties of isolines at varying altitude reveal different dominant geological processes on Earth

TL;DR

This study demonstrates that fractal analysis of topographic isolines can effectively distinguish various geological processes and landforms on Earth and the Moon, providing a quantitative tool for geomorphological interpretation.

Contribution

It introduces a novel application of fractal analysis of isolines to identify and differentiate geological features and processes across planetary landscapes.

Findings

Fractal properties distinguish trenches from abyssal plains.

Isolines reveal oceanic ridges and continental slopes.

Analysis supports links between landforms and geomorphic processes.

Abstract

Geometrical properties of landscapes result from the geological processes that have acted through time. The quantitative analysis of natural relief represents an objective form of aiding in the visual interpretation of landscapes, as studies on coastlines, river networks, and global topography, have shown. Still, an open question is whether a clear relationship between the quantitative properties of landscapes and the dominant geomorphologic processes that originate them can be established. In this contribution, we show that the geometry of topographic isolines is an appropriate observable to help disentangle such a relationship. A fractal analysis of terrestrial isolines yields a clear identification of trenches and abyssal plains, differentiates oceanic ridges from continental slopes and platforms, localizes coastlines and river systems, and isolates areas at high elevation (or latitude) subjected to the erosive action of ice. The study of the geometrical properties of the lunar landscape supports the existence of a correspondence between principal geomorphic processes and landforms. Our analysis can be easily applied to other planetary bodies.