Amazing Fractal Patterns Found in Nature

Put simply, a fractal is a never-ending pattern. Put not-so-simply, a fractal pattern is a "geometric pattern that is repeated at ever smaller scales to produce irregular shapes and surfaces that cannot be represented by classical geometry." From rivers to trees to mountains, nature is full of fractals, making these amazing patterns both complex and familiar at the same time.

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With tools like Google Earth at our fingertips, people like Paul Bourke, a Research Associate Professor at the University of Western Australia, have put cool websites together like this one, featuring some of the most stunning aerial shots of Earth's landscapes that you'll find on the internet. With the help of other geographical enthusiasts, Bourke has a pretty extensive collection of fractals from all over the world. We selected some of our colorful favorites to share with you guys.

Algeria

Angola

Australia

Canada

Egypt

India

Malaysia

Spain

United States of America

Pretty amazing, huh? If you're interested in learning more about fractals, check out some of these other interesting links:

Fractal Foundation
Fractal Geometry
Fractals Unleashed
Earth’s Most Stunning Natural Fractal Patterns