Fast multiple inversion for stress analysis from fault-slip data

The multiple inverse method is widely used to invert multiple stress tensors from fault-slip data caused by polyphase tectonics. A practical problem of the method is the time-consuming computation related to its iterative procedure. This paper describes a way of accelerating the computation by replacing an exhaustive grid search for the optimal stress tensor by direct calculation using an analytical solution. Furthermore, a technique to reduce noise in the result was developed based on the estimation of instabilities of solutions.

► A faster algorithm of stress inversion (fast multiple inversion, FMI) is proposed. ► FMI works several to ten times faster than conventional software. ► Exhaustive grid search is replaced by direct calculation of analytical solution. ► A noise reduction technique is also presented.