Statistical analysis of Geopotential Height (GH) timeseries based on Tsallis non-extensive statistical mechanics

Abstract In this paper, we perform statistical analysis of time series deriving from Earth’s climate. The time series are concerned with Geopotential Height (GH) and correspond to temporal and spatial components of the global distribution of month average values, during the period (1948–2012). The analysis is based on Tsallis non-extensive statistical mechanics and in particular on the estimation of Tsallis’ q -triplet, namely { q stat , q sens , q rel }, the reconstructed phase space and the estimation of correlation dimension and the Hurst exponent of rescaled range analysis (R/S). The deviation of Tsallis q -triplet from unity indicates non-Gaussian (Tsallis q-Gaussian) non-extensive character with heavy tails probability density functions (PDFs), multifractal behavior and long range dependences for all timeseries considered. Also noticeable differences of the q-triplet estimation found in the timeseries at distinct local or temporal regions. Moreover, in the reconstructive phase space revealed a lower-dimensional fractal set in the GH dynamical phase space (strong self-organization) and the estimation of Hurst exponent indicated multifractality, non-Gaussianity and persistence. The analysis is giving significant information identifying and characterizing the dynamical characteristics of the earth’s climate.