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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Shi-Jun, Samantha, Li, Bo
Format: Preprint
Published: 2026
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Online Access:https://arxiv.org/abs/2602.12435
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author Shi-Jun, Samantha
Li, Bo
author_facet Shi-Jun, Samantha
Li, Bo
contents We propose a novel Bayesian framework for changepoint detection in large-scale spherical spatiotemporal data, with broad applicability in environmental and climate sciences. Our approach models changepoints as spatially dependent categorical variables using a multinomial probit model (MPM) with a latent Gaussian process, effectively capturing complex spatial correlation structures on the sphere. To handle the high dimensionality inherent in global datasets, we leverage stochastic partial differential equations (SPDE) and spherical harmonic transformations for efficient representation and scalable inference, drastically reducing computational burden while maintaining high accuracy. Through extensive simulation studies, we demonstrate the efficiency and robustness of the proposed method for changepoint estimation, as well as the significant computational gains achieved through the combined use of the MPM and truncated spectral representations of latent processes. Finally, we apply our method to global aerosol optical depth data, successfully identifying changepoints associated with a major atmospheric event.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2602_12435
institution arXiv
publishDate 2026
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Scalable Changepoint Detection for Large Spatiotemporal Data on the Sphere
Shi-Jun, Samantha
Li, Bo
Methodology
Computation
We propose a novel Bayesian framework for changepoint detection in large-scale spherical spatiotemporal data, with broad applicability in environmental and climate sciences. Our approach models changepoints as spatially dependent categorical variables using a multinomial probit model (MPM) with a latent Gaussian process, effectively capturing complex spatial correlation structures on the sphere. To handle the high dimensionality inherent in global datasets, we leverage stochastic partial differential equations (SPDE) and spherical harmonic transformations for efficient representation and scalable inference, drastically reducing computational burden while maintaining high accuracy. Through extensive simulation studies, we demonstrate the efficiency and robustness of the proposed method for changepoint estimation, as well as the significant computational gains achieved through the combined use of the MPM and truncated spectral representations of latent processes. Finally, we apply our method to global aerosol optical depth data, successfully identifying changepoints associated with a major atmospheric event.
title Scalable Changepoint Detection for Large Spatiotemporal Data on the Sphere
topic Methodology
Computation
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2602.12435