Diffusion induced mode switching in avalanching systems

Abstract

Most avalanching systems in nature should involve diffusive processes as well which can change the behavior of such systems and should be taken into account. We examine the effects of diffusion on the model of a dissipative bi-directional burning model. It is shown that the system behavior progressively changes with the increase of diffusion. Avalanches of small sizes become suppressed and large quasiperiodic bursts develop. In contrast with sandpiles these bursts are not edge triggered and the transition is gradual.