This phenomenon can be understood as follows: Let $\Gamma < Sym(\mathbb{Z}^{2})$ be a transitive **[hyperbolic group][1]** (and non virtually cyclic). Through this faithful transitive action of $\Gamma$ on $\mathbb{Z}^{2}$ (and orbit of (0,0)), the **[Cayley graph][2]** of $\Gamma$ (Gromov hyperbolic geometry) is projected (*in a manner not too degenerate*) on $\mathbb{Z}^2$ (euclidean geometry). Then the emergence of explosive and **[fractal][3]**-like structures on the spheres is not surprising. So any (non virtually cyclic) hyperbolic group would generate beautiful fractal-like pictures. **Example**: $\Gamma = \langle a,b \rangle < Sym(\mathbb{Z}^{2})$ such that - $a: (m,n) \to (m+1,m+n)$ - $b: (m,n) \to (m+n,n+1)$ *To be confirmed*: $\Gamma$ acts transitively on $\mathbb{Z}^{2}$, and is isomorphic to the free group $\mathbb{F}_2$ (so $\Gamma$ is hyperbolic). The cardinalities of the spheres of radii $r=0,\dots,13$ about $(0,0)$ are : $1,4,11,20,47,100,238,512,1124,2540,5569,12101,26208,56720$ The entire sphere of radius $13$: ![enter image description here][4] **Remark**: I don't know if your group $G$ is hyperbolic, but we could have the same understanding for all the finitely generated groups of exponential growth. [1]: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyperbolic_group [2]: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cayley_graph [3]: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fractal [4]: https://i.sstatic.net/S8rVw.png