Autoassociation, a new geological tool

Autoassociation is a computer method of comparing a sequence of nonnumeric elements, e.g., of rock types. The sequence is slid past a replicate of itself. At each position of overlap the number of matching elements is noted and statistics of goodness-of-match are computed. The method allows several properties to be coded at each position in the sequence. It also allows unknown, missing, or not applicable elements. Reverse matches also are performed, i.e., with the duplicate sequences reversed in direction. Autoassociation is used to detect partial repetitions in stratigraphic sequences and to compare regressive and transgressive phases of cyclothems.