MULTIFRACTAL AND ENTROPIC PROPERTIES OF LANDSLIDES IN JAPAN

Landslide distributions in two major areas of northern Japan, Tohoku a nd Hokkaido, are analysed for multifractal properties. For the latter data set, also the multifractal spectrum for the spatial landslide siz e distribution is determined and compared to the probability distribut ion. It is concluded that the fields possess definite multifractal cha racter. This finding is supported by the known multifractality of the main triggering processes, rain and earthquakes. Further support comes from a configuration entropy analysis which is found to be a useful c omplimentary tool to multifractal analysis. Models leading to multifra ctality are briefly reviewed. Careful attention is paid to the algorit hms used and to the verification of the numerical results. Some genera l suggestions concerning numerical methods are made.