The document discusses the hierarchical matrix (h-matrix) approximation of large non-structured covariance matrices, emphasizing computational efficiency with log-linear cost and storage. It details the methods for calculating matrix operations like inversion and Cholesky decomposition, particularly using Matern covariance functions prevalent in spatial statistics. Additionally, the document presents theoretical insights and accuracy comparisons related to h-matrix approximations and their applications in fields such as kriging and optimal design.