Hydrology and Earth System Sciences www.hydrol-earth-syst-sci.net 1027-5606 1607-7938 11 2 2007 10.5194/hess-11-665-2007 http://www.hydrol-earth-syst-sci.net/11/665/2007/ http://www.hydrol-earth-syst-sci.net/11/665/2007/hess-11-665-2007.html http://www.hydrol-earth-syst-sci.net/11/665/2007/hess-11-665-2007.pdf 665 676 2007-01-17 Self-similar pattern formation and continuous mechanics of self-similar systems A. V. Dyskin adyskin@cyllene.uwa.edu.au School of Civil and Resource Engineering, The University of Western Australia, Australia In many cases, the critical state of systems that reached the threshold is characterised by self-similar pattern formation. We produce an example of pattern formation of this kind – formation of self-similar distribution of interacting fractures. Their formation starts with the crack growth due to the action of stress fluctuations. 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