Earth Systems Do Not Evolve To Equilibrium Fichter, Lynn S., Pyle, E.J., Whitmeyer, S.J.

 Ask the average person on the street, “What is the theory of evolution...”... and they are likely to answer... Natural selection ? Darwin’s theory of evolution? Survival of the fittest? But, biological things are not the only things that evolve.

We tacitly agree that earth systems evolve. For example, The National Science Education Standards

Even our text books take for granted that the Earth is an evolutionary system.

Potential energy Kinetic energy Equilibrium End of Story If we acknowledge that Earth systems evolve, then why do we not have a formal theory of their evolution comparable to biological evolutionary theory? Because we model them as equilibrium systems

A+B Chemical ReactantsChemical Products C+D End of Story Chemical Equilibrium (maximum entropy) Similarly for chemical systems

Stable Equilibrium State Unstable Equilibrium State We do acknowledge that systems are not always at equilibrium So, we may speak of an... Which evolves into a..

We do acknowledge that systems are not always at equilibrium Or, we may speak of a dynamic equilibrium But, this acknowledges that the system has not evolved to the lowest energy state, but is continuously dissipating energy. Stable Equilibrium State Unstable Equilibrium State Unstable equilibrium and dynamic equilibrium are oxymorons. Surely we can do better than this.

Lots of potential energy stored in the rocks Potential energy released during earth quake causing the Earth to move and the ground to shake Earthquake finished Of course not, but then what theory is there to explain the behavior of systems through which energy passes continuously? Take Earthquakes Does this mean that the system is now closed, dead, unable to change more?

Ilya Prigogine ( ) There is another way to think about this Theory of dissipative structures, or non-equilibrium thermodynamics “In the world that we are familiar with, equilibrium is a rare and precarious state." Non-equilibrium thermodynamics, chaos theory, complex systems theory.

  And we cannot make a direct one-for-one comparison of the units and processes between them... Then Darwinian evolutionary theory (the Modern Synthesis) is a special case of evolution, not a general case.

1. Differentiate 2. Select 3. Amplify The units of selection and the information carriers are different in each kind of system but the algorithm is the same... Repeat  Three Evolutionary Theories

Differentiate, select, and amplify do not really explain how... Rocks evolve They evolve by completely different mechanisms. The Earth has evolved The atmosphere has evolved 

  1. Elaborating evolution Begin with something simple and increase it abundance, diversity, and complexity with time. 2. Fractionating evolution Begin with something complex and subdivide it into fractions.

   1. Elaborating evolution Begin with something simple and increase it abundance, diversity, and complexity with time. 2. Fractionating evolution Begin with something complex and subdivide it into fractions. 3. Self-organizing evolution The ability of a system to develop structures and patterns in the absence of control or manipulation by an external agent.

   Challenges Benefits Opportunities Complex systems concepts are often unfamiliar Ideas widely dispersed, but not yet well developed in the geosciences Opportunity to put all Earth systems on an integrated evolutionary theoretical foundation Ideas are not yet well developed in the geosciences; need new ways of recasting and teaching Earth processes in evolutionary language

   We use a variety of models and computer based experimental programs in our classes to introduce and explore elaborating, fractionating, and self- organizing evolutionary processes.

X next – the Logistic System And Deterministic Chaos X next = rX (1- X) X =.02 and r = 2.7 X next = rX (1-X) X next = (2.7) (.02) (1-.02 =.98) X next =.0529 Iteration X Value X =.02 and r = 2.7 X next = rX (1-X) X next = (2.7) (.02) (1-.02 =.98) X next = Equilibrium state

r = 2.9

r = 3.1

r = 3.4

r = 3.6

r = 3.8

r = 4.0

r = 4.1

Self Organized Criticality Evolution Via Self Organization

Cellular Automata Evolution Via Self Organization

Boris P.Belousov ( ) Temporal Oscillations Spatial Oscillations. Oscillating Chemical Reactions Evolution Via Self Organization

Reaction – Diffusion Chemical Reactions Evolution Via Self Organization

Network Theory – Graph Theory Evolution Via Self Organization

Hysteresis – Bistable Behavior Evolution Via Self Organization

Word Evolv Elaborating Evolution

Avida Elaborating Evolution

? Fractionating Evolution

4. System Linkages