Computer Science

Colloquium Details

Unexpected and Complex Behavior of Hierarchical, Multiresolution Cellular Automata

Abstract

We have implemented heirarchical, multiresolution cellular automata on subsets of a variety of global grid topologies. Using a simple rule sets analogous to the well known "Game of Life" due to John Conway, we have found that multiresolution systems appear to manifest infinite memory and produce dynamics similar to fractional brownian motion. These systems may crash or persist for long periods of time. The probability that a given system will persist depends on the topology of the grid, the size of the grid, the number of resolutions, and the the number of cells "alive" at time 0. Whether or not a given configuration persists also depends exquisitly on the exact inital spatial configuration. The value of this system for simulating demographic, ecological, and biogeographic process is discussed.