How do I simulate a sandpile avalanche?

Open this page and use the live Forest Fire Model tool below — set your inputs and the simulation runs instantly in your browser using real numerics. No install, no account needed.

Yes. The simulation runs free in your browser. A one-time unlock or a Pro plan adds advanced parameters, saved presets, data import, and clean exports.

Can I use my own numbers?

Absolutely — every input is adjustable, and with data import you can drive a sandpile avalanche from your own measurements.

Use case · powered by Forest Fire Model

Forest Fire Model for a sandpile avalanche

Simulate a sandpile avalanche live in your browser. This runs the real Forest Fire Model solver — adjust the inputs, watch it respond instantly, and export the result. No install, no account.

For:Students Researchers Educators Engineers Hobbyists & Makers K-12 Students First Responders

Forest Fire ModelLive

self-organized criticality

Controls

Speed1×

Presets

Growth rate p

Lightning f

Trees grow at rate p; lightning ignites one at rate f; fire spreads to neighbors. The ratio p/f self-organizes to a critical state where fire sizes follow a power law — a classic model of self-organized criticality.

▶ Run in Python

Data Inspector

Living trees0

Grid120²

p / f50

Governing equation

P (grow) = 0.01, P (ignite) = 0.0002, \frac{p}{f} = 50

Reading this result: Near p/f around 50 the model sits close to its critical point, where fire sizes span every scale in a power law — the signature of self-organized criticality.

Runs locally in your browser — free forever. Scale to the cloud when reality gets heavy.

or unlock everything with Pro →

About this simulation

The full Forest Fire Model tool models a sandpile avalanche with the same numerics engineers and scientists use — running entirely client-side. Change any parameter and the result updates in real time, so you can build intuition, check a design, or teach the concept without spreadsheets or installs.

More you can do with Forest Fire Model

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Other ways to simulate a sandpile avalanche

Boids Flocking for a sandpile avalanche Traffic Flow for a sandpile avalanche Abelian Sandpile for a sandpile avalanche Schelling Segregation for a sandpile avalanche Langton's Ant for a sandpile avalanche Reaction-Diffusion for a sandpile avalanche

Frequently asked questions

How do I simulate a sandpile avalanche?: Open this page and use the live Forest Fire Model tool below — set your inputs and the simulation runs instantly in your browser using real numerics. No install, no account needed.
Is it free?: Yes. The simulation runs free in your browser. A one-time unlock or a Pro plan adds advanced parameters, saved presets, data import, and clean exports.
Can I use my own numbers?: Absolutely — every input is adjustable, and with data import you can drive a sandpile avalanche from your own measurements.