Inverse modelling in geology by interactive evolutionary computation

Inverse modelling of geological processes, in the absence of established numerical criteria to act as inversion targets, requires an approach that uses human interaction to assess forward model results. The method of interactive evolutionary computation provides for the inclusion of qualitative geological expertise within a rigorous mathematical inversion scheme, by simply asking an expert user to evaluate a sequence of forward geological models. The traditional numerical misfit is replaced by a human appraisal of misfit. We use this interactive technique to successfully invert a geodynamic model for a conceptual pattern of fault spacing during crustal extension.