Any idea how this image was generated?

[fluxer]

https://en.fotolia.com/id/55047809

I'm interested in generating similar type images using my own parameters. Anyone have any insight as to what algorithms are used?

[snibgo]

It looks like an interference (or "beat frequency") pattern, which happens when two images have a similar or identical repeated pattern at slightly different frequencies, and these are added (or multiplied or whatever) together.

In this case, the pattern has two main elements: 22 radials from the centre, and a large number of concentric rings, of thicknesses that increase with the radius. The interference is from the rings.

When we have a grayscale interference pattern, this can be coloured (eg with "-remap") in yellow through green and cyan to blue.

Instead of creating radial lines and rings, we can create vertical and horizontal lines, then "-distort polar" or "-distort arc".