https://doi.org/10.1140/epjst/e2010-01178-2
Pattern formation by local amplification and lateral inhibition: Examples from biology and geology
Physics of Geological Processes, University of Oslo, 000 Oslo, Norway
Corresponding author: ohammer@nhm.uio.no
Pattern formation by local amplification and lateral inhibition is a common process in nature, responsible for regular repetition in many biological and geological systems. This conceptual framework provides a high-level understanding of self-organization, but also guides the search for the fundamental, local interactions in any given system. Several examples of pattern formation by lateral inhibition in sociology, biology and geology illustrate the general principles. In particular, we used this research methodology consciously for addressing the problem of rimstone (travertine terrace) formation. The statistical identification of spacing patterns is illustrated by an analysis of a pockmark field in the North Sea.
© EDP Sciences, Springer-Verlag, 2010
