Fractal dimension estimations of drainage network in the Carpathian-Pannonian system.

The development of drainage network in the intra-Carpathian realm is influenced by a complex Quaternary tectonic evolution manifested with differential vertical motions. The present-day configuration of the left-hand side tributary system of the Tisza river was studied by means of fractal analysis. Fractal dimensions describing the complexity of the network were obtained by different methods. These include the early estimations based on stream ordering hierarchy and the application of the box-counting and sandbox algorithms representing fixed-size algorithms considered as efficient tools in fractal set analysis. Besides calculations made for the entire drainage system, the region was subdivided into three distinct areas characterised by different Quaternary uplift history. These are the Apuseni Mts., the Transylvanian basin and a part of the Eastern Carpathians, investigated separately. The concept of multifractality was also taken into consideration and dimensions of both higher and lower orders were determined along with the corresponding singularity spectra. Non-space-filling and multifractal behaviour of the network structure was validated. However, small but tendentious variations of the support dimensions (D