This shows the first 540 rows of the pattern generated by the rules and starting configuration shown at the bottom of the image. Click here for an explanation of the controls.
This is a continuation of the previous pattern obtained by scrolling down a few times. There are a few overlapping lines so you can see that the two patterns really are connected.
Now we've scrolled down another 1000 or so rows. The nature of the pattern hasn't changed much though the details have. We could ask the question whether or not this central pattern eventually extends to infinity in either direction or eventually comes to a halt (like the right hand branch of this illustration). As far as I know there is no way of answering this question other than running the calculation indefinitely (or until it does stop).
In this case though, the pattern does die out after another 1200 or so rows.
We can then zoom in to see more detail; This example is inside the black circle of the previous image.
Once the intricate pattern in the middle has died out we're destined for infinite repeats of three patterns plus some edge effects.
The Right hand edge is quite complicated but has a easily recognisable repeating pattern.
