Typological factor analysis: A new classification method applied to geology

The purpose of typological factor analysis is to detect, within a multidimensional sample, the existence of subsets characterized by different maximal elongation directions. The method which has been successfully applied in the field of pattern recognition can be considered from two points of view: (1) an automatic classification or dynamic clustering technique: and (2) a form of factor analysis. Using this form of analysis nuclei of affine varieties (points, axes, planes, etc) are identified. Different case studies were analyzed in order to establish the advantages of the method compared to other methods. Geochemical analyses of rock samples; that is, rhyolites, mafic, and intermediate rocks of the Normetal (Abitibi) area were subjected to typological factor analysis for the purpose of classification of geological deposits and detection of geochemical anomalies. The method was also applied to the classification of sediments from the Barataria Bay area in Louisiana.