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An air photographic mosaic covering an area of 44.5×10 m was subdivided into 741 rectangular cells (60×100 m). Pattern frequency, center relief, shape, and wedge image clarity were tabulated using three states for each character on a nominal scale. These state variables were converted to an interval scale by the application of a spatial smoothing filter. The new values were subjected to a principal components analysis which indicated that a parsimonious classification of pattern spatial variation could be constructed by equally weighting the first three nominal variables (frequency, relief, shape). The maps derived from this scheme indicate the areas on the tundra surface where polygon evolution may be occurring at the present time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Maps are used primarily as inventories or to evaluate spatial variability as a means of testing hypotheses. Sequential steps involved in evaluating relevant variables and in testing hypotheses about specified target populations are outlined. Identification of component subproblems and attempts to use the formalism necessary iteratively to test deterministic differential equations (or the corresponding probabilistic equations) could enhance the understanding of many earth-science problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Factor analysis utilizing textural data from 81 bottom samples was used to analyze the surficial sediments covering a 40,000-sq km area, which is one input data point per 500 km. On the other hand, the surficial geology of the area studied is complex as some map units are only 1 km wide in places. Under these circumstances it is interesting to determine that factor analysis nonetheless aims toward a reasonable geological solution. If the premise is accepted that factor analysis provides a solution 'best-fitted' to the data, the geologist has carried his research one step further and is left with the problem of interpreting the results of factor analysis correctly. In this experiment, the interpretation of the factors representing the gravel and the mud is relatively simple, although the two factors representing sands are more difficult to explain. The proper interpretation of factors leads naturally to an inquiry on the optimum number of factors to use, but this problem can be solved objectively by considering the factor loadings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mathematical methods were employed in an investigation of syntexis in the 'Gabbro di Sondalo,' a mafic igneous formation in the Central Alps (Italy). A set of 100 specimens was selected according to sampling criteria and analyzed by X-ray fluorescence for eight elements; Q- mode and R- mode factor analysis then was applied to these data. Results of the computations indicate that the general trend of differentiation is related to the syntexis of gneissic wall rocks ('Gneiss del Monte Tonale') in the mafic melt. Ca and Mg are abundant in the gabbro, and Si and K in the gneiss; the independent variation trend of Fe and Ti may be related to a differentiation episode due to a magmatic phase. Spatial representation of multivariate data on differentiation also was performed on the main elements and a picture of the trend of syntexis was mapped. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Manual, semiautomatic, and fully automatic procedures for correlating subsurface data are reviewed. Special emphasis is placed on the use of electric-log data, including that of the dipmeter log, in this discussion. The Holgate method is described for its use in 'fine-tuning' or refining gross correlations. A procedure for creating a matrix map for empirically establishing correlation between sets of data is described, and idealized models are shown. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is well known among geologists that closure of an open-number system, as when stratigraphic rock thicknesses are converted to percentages, introduces correlations among the components even in the absence of correlations in the open system. In closed three-component systems the covariances are single-valued functions of the closed variances and are exactly predictable. If the open system has 'inherent' correlation (point correlations) among its components the corresponding closed covariances reflect their presence in a predictable manner. If areal trends are present in the open system, the open covariances are themselves affected, but this 'trend effect' can be completely removed to recover the initial point correlations among the components. Areal trends in open systems strongly influence the structure of the closed variance-covariance matrices, and the situation becomes increasingly complicated if the open system has both point correlations and areal trends. The paper considers the problems involved, and includes Monte Carlo runs to compare computed and predicted variances and covariances as data sets are followed from open systems with correlation but no trend to the closed equivalent of open systems with point correlations and trends. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On the basis of samples taken from a known topographic surface, the parameters of two types of linear models are estimated. The first category is defined by polynomials or trigonometric functions, whose parameters are simultaneously computed from available data. In the second category a set of local centers is defined, and in the neighborhood of each center a fixed-degree polynomial is developed. An approximative resemblance index is calculated, and contour maps corresponding to various models are compared with the topographic map. It is found that with an increasing number of grid points, maps of local polynomials are converging both in continuity and in resemblance. For a sufficient number of grid points, this resemblance is always higher than those produced by models of the first category. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the methods of Fisher and Watson, Fortran iv computer programs are presented for the following analyses of directional observations on the sphere: (1) to determine if points are randomly distributed; (2) to estimate the azimuth and inclination of the center (mean direction) of a cluster and to estimate the precision (closeness) with which points are clustered; (3) to determine if two or more clusters have the same mean direction; (4) to determine if two clusters have the same precision of clustering; and (5) to locate the pole of a greatcircle girdle of points. Limitations of these analyses for undirected directional observations on the hemisphere also are given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Relative percentages of sand, silt, and clay from samples of the same till unit are not identical because of different lithologies in the source areas, sorting in transport, random variation, and experimental error. Random variation and experimental error can be isolated from the other two as follows. For each particle-size class of each till unit, a standard population is determined by using a normally distributed, representative group of data. New measurements are compared with the standard population and, if they compare satisfactorily, the experimental error is not significant and random variation is within the expected range for the population. The outcome of the comparison depends on numerical criteria derived from a graphical method rather than on a more commonly used one-way analysis of variance with two treatments. If the number of samples and the standard deviation of the standard population are substituted in a t-test equation, a family of hyperbolas is generated, each of which corresponds to a specific number of subsamples taken from each new sample. The axes of the graphs of the hyperbolas are the standard deviation of new measurements (horizontal axis) and the difference between the means of the new measurements and the standard population (vertical axis). The area between the two branches of each hyperbola corresponds to a satisfactory comparison between the new measurements and the standard population. Measurements from a new sample can be tested by plotting their standard deviation vs. difference in means on axes containing a hyperbola corresponding to the specific number of subsamples used. If the point lies between the branches of the hyperbola, the measurements are considered reliable. But if the point lies outside this region, the measurements are repeated. Because the critical segment of the hyperbola is approximately a straight line parallel to the horizontal axis, the test is simplified to a comparison between the means of the standard population and the means of the subsample. The minimum number of subsamples required to prove significant variation between samples caused by different lithologies in the source areas and sorting in transport can be determined directly from the graphical method. The minimum number of subsamples required is the maximum number to be run for economy of effort. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Z-trend maps are a simplified lineprinter version of spatially filtered maps designed to give a quick visual appraisal of trends. The printout shows a 'yes-no' configuration by a printed character or a blank so that the map has a conspicuous pattern. This pattern reflects the presence, position, and trend of the desired features. If a reasonable symbol density ratio is used the results can be visually pleasing thus enhancing trend recognition. Z-trending can be adapted to any map with stationary properties but is most easily applied to data that have been filtered with a bandpass operator. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A technique for preparing contour maps is presented which has particular applicability for geophysical data. This technique derives from the assumption that each measured value is a sample from a statistical distribution which is taken to be valid in the area around that sample location. This distribution may be specified in the manner which best defines the relationship between the data and its spatial environment. Extending this principle to cover all areas to be mapped, and not just those measured, it is possible to predict values over a grid array of locations and hence to produce a contour map. Inherent in this simple procedure is: (i) the ability to adjust to the nature of the data being contoured; (ii) the elimination of edge effects; (iii) visual indication of the relative accuracy with which contours are located, at all points of the map; (iv) the automatic downgrading of data values which are in error; (v) the ability to contour combinations of measured data values without compounding errors; and (vi) a relatively simple extension to data spatially distributed in three dimensions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spline surfaces are interpolated for top of the Dundee Limestone of the central Michigan Basin, USA. The requirement of gridded data render spline functions inappropriate tools for representing many types of geological mapped data. Comparisons are drawn with maps for the same Michigan data based on trend surfaces and spatial filtering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new algorithm has been developed by J. W. Sammon for the nonlinear-point mapping of high-dimensional data in two dimensions such that the inherent structure of the data is approximately preserved. This paper describes results using several sets of geologic data including stratigraphic thickness, petrographic modal analysis, and morphological or geochemical measurements. Comparisons are made with hierarchical cluster analysis using dendrogram representation. Initial results are encouraging and suggest that the technique could have widespread geological applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]