Bubbling and Large-Scale Structures in Avalanche Dynamics

TL;DR

This paper introduces a lattice model for granular media demonstrating self-organization into large-scale inhomogeneities and bubble-like large events, offering insights into avalanche dynamics and self-organized criticality.

Contribution

It proposes a simple lattice model that exhibits large-scale structures and bubble-like events, advancing understanding of self-organized critical phenomena in granular media.

Findings

Presence of large-scale space and time inhomogeneities

Occurrence of peaked distribution of large events

Events propagate as bubbles with a characteristic frequency

Abstract

Using a simple lattice model for granular media, we present a scenario of self-organization that we term self-organized structuring where the steady state has several unusual features: (1) large scale space and/or time inhomogeneities and (2) the occurrence of a non-trivial peaked distribution of large events which propagate like ``bubbles'' and have a well-defined frequency of occurrence. We discuss the applicability of such a scenario for other models introduced in the framework of self-organized criticality.