Event horizons in numerical relativity. II. Analyzing the horizon - art. no. 064015

We present techniques and methods for analyzing the dynamics of event horiz ons in numerically constructed spacetimes. There are three classes of analy tical tools we have investigated. The first class consists of proper geomet rical measures of the horizon which allow us a comparison with perturbation theory and powerful global theorems. The second class involves the locatio n and study of horizon generators. The third class includes the induced hor izon 2-metric in the generator comoving coordinates and a set of membrane-p aradigm-like quantities. Applications to several distorted, rotating, and c olliding black hole spacetimes are provided as examples of these techniques . [S0556-2821(98)09420-X].