Abstract

We perform rapid W-phase finite fault inversion for the 2015 Illapel great earthquake (M-w = 8.3). To evaluate the performance of the inversion in a near real time context, we divide seismic stations into four groups. The groups consider stations up to epicentral distances of 30 degrees, 50 degrees, 75 degrees, and 90 degrees, respectively. The results for the first group could have been available within 25min after the origin time and the results for the last group within 1h. The four results consistently show a peak slip of approximate to 10m near the trench with trench perpendicular rake which is consistent with the tsunami genesis of the event. The slip location is similar to that in the preliminary U.S. Geological Survey solution. The inversion is automated and provides meaningful results within 25min after the event. This makes the method particularly suited to emergency management and early warning at regional and teletsunami distances.