Mapping of Multicomponent Systems

Abstract

The possibility of mapping sedimentary facies by continuous functions of the proportions of the end-members or of quantities derivable from them is examined. Two contrasting procedures are suggested. The first divides the system into classes, each of which contains a unique "end-mixture" of simple type. To express the "distance" between the end-mixture and the other members of the class, a variable quantity, D, is defined. The maximum values of D coincide with the class boundaries. Maps constructed by this method are relatively self-contained and easily interpreted. The second method involves calculation of the entropy, as defined in information theory. Maps showing the distribution of entropy in the system may disclose a physically significant structure. If desired, the two types of maps may be combined. The methods described are applicable to systems of any number of components.