Avalanche size distribution in a random walk model

Abstract

We introduce a simple model for the size distribution of avalanches based on the idea that the front of an avalanche can be described by a directed random walk. The model captures some of the qualitative features of earthquakes, avalanches and other self-organized critical phenomena in one dimension. We find scaling laws relating the frequency, size and width of avalanches and an exponent $4/3$ in the size distribution law.