CHAOS THEORY IN PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY

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Abstract
Throughout the natural sciences the theory of chaos is gaining prominence as a means of explaining the behavior of systems. The word chaos is used as an antilogy of itself. Non-linear deterministic systems may produce unpredictable states, but the number of states is not illimitable. The states are restricted to definable regions in a state space of calculable dimensions. This theory is already having an impact in the environmental sciences, especially in meteorology. Its potential application in physical geography is real, and geographers must address its implications. Difficulties will be encountered, however, in acquiring enough data points at the spatial and temporal scales of interest in physical geography. [Key words: attractors, chaos, physical geography, systems.]