Prediction of stress field in Japan using GPS network data

Abstract

The applicability of a new inversion method to the Japanese Islands is examined. This method can compute a self-equilibrating stress increment from a strain increment, and the validity of the method is verified for metal-like-materials. Some modifications will be needed in applying the new inversion method to the Japanese Islands when a strain increment measured by the GPS array is used as input data. In this paper, we try to compute the stress increment associated with a measured displacement increment. It is shown that the inversion works and the stress increment is computed. The validity of the results, however, cannot be verified right now. Some information on regional constitutive relations is obtained from the measured strain increment and the predicted stress increment. We discuss the applicability of the inversion method, and clarify modifications that are needed for more reliable prediction.