Universal fluctuations of the Danube water level: A link with turbulence, criticality and company growth

Abstract

A global quantity, regardless of its precise nature, will often fluctuate\naccording to a Gaussian limit distribution. However, in highly correlated\nsystems, other limit distributions are possible. We have previously calculated\none such distribution and have argued that this function should apply\nspecifically, and in many instances, to global quantities that define a steady\nstate. Here we demonstrate, for the first time, the relevance of this\nprediction to natural phenomena. The river level fluctuations of the Danube are\nobserved to obey our prediction, which immediately establishes a generic\nstatistical connection between turbulence, criticality and company growth\nstatistics.\n