Computation of strain and rotation tensor as well as their uncertainties for small arrays in spherical coordinate system

Based on Taylor series expansion and strain components expressions of elastic mechanics, we derive formulae of strain and rotation tensor for small arrays in spherical coordinates system. By linearization process of the formulae, we also derive expressions of strain components and Euler vector uncertainties respectively for subnets using the law of error propagation. Taking GPS velocity field in Sichuan-Yunnan area as an example, we compute dilation rate and maximum shear strain rate field using the above procedure, and their characteristics are preliminarily carried on. Limits of the strain model for small array are also discussed. We make detailed explanations on small array method and the choice of small arrays. How to set weights of GPS observations are further discussed. Moreover relationship between strain and radius of GPS subnets is also analyzed. Foundation item: State Key Basic Research Development and Programming Project of China (2004CB418403), Special Foundation of Seismological Science (200708030) and Basic Scientific Research Program of Institute of Earthquake Science (2007-22).