Finger velocities in the lifting Hele–Shaw cell

Velocities of viscous fingers growing in a lifting Hele–Shaw cell are studied. The plates are separated by a pneumatic cylinder arrangement exerting a constant force. It is observed that with air invading a non-Newtonian oil-paint, finger velocities show an anomalous behaviour, with a rapid growth towards the end of the process. The correlation coefficient between neighbouring fingers shows the dominant modes selected as the pattern develops.