Quantifying the regional kinematics is critical for understanding the deformation mechanisms of the Tibetan Plateau. In this study, we construct an elastic block model using a dense GPS velocity field to derive the fault slip rates in SE Tibet. We uncover good agreement between GPS and late Quaternary slip estimates, suggesting that the GPS slip rates estimated from our model can represent the long‐term fault motions in SE Tibet. Specifically, our model shows that the slip along the Xianshuihe fault increases from west to east, which may result from the initiation of the Longriba fault. The Litang, Zhongdian, and Xiaojiang faults and the faults bounding the Lijiang block exhibit extensional motions, in agreement with the regional tectonics and earthquake focal mechanisms. In the regions north of the Red River fault whose kinematics can be described through the rotations of subblocks with small residuals, the fault motions agree with focal mechanism patterns and tectonic block models. In regions south of the Red River fault, the right‐lateral shearing among the Red River, Lancang and Sagaing faults appears to explain the first‐order deformation features. However, the relatively large residuals and complex tectonic setting suggest that various other factors, such as asthenospheric flow and the subduction of the Burma plate may also influence the deformation. Thus, a single model extended to interpret all the geodynamic features in SE Tibet, especially south of the Red River fault, may be overly simple, and the extent to which each factor contributes to this deformation requires further study.

To resolve the occurrence mechanism of the Luxian earthquake occurred near an active hydraulic fracturing well pad on 15 September 2021, we first use seismic waveforms to invert the focal mechanism solution and centroid depth, and then utilize Sentinel‐1 Synthetic Aperture Radar images and Global Navigation Satellite System observations to determine the seismogenic fault and slip distribution. Our results show that the Luxian event ruptured a previously‐unmapped southwest‐dipping reverse fault intersecting with one horizontal well of the well pad. Major slip occurred below the shale gas bed (∼4 km deep) but above the crystalline basement (∼7 km deep). Further analyses on preseismic surface deformation initiated in the northeast of the event reveal that pore pressure near the hypocenter was increased by ∼4.5 MPa. Consequently, fracking fluid injected through the horizontal well and other wells of nearby pads likely flowed directly into the fault zones and prompted the occurrence of the Luxian earthquake.

On 2020 December 29, the M_w 6.4 Petrinja earthquake hit the Kupa Valley region and set a record for the largest earthquake in northwestern (NW) Croatia. The coseismic surface displacements are well obtained on three pairs of interferometric synthetic aperture radar images from Sentinel-1 satellites. The interferograms exhibit coseismic ground deformation with a maximum line-of-sight displacement of 0.4 m. Based on the coseismic deformation field, we investigate both the fault geometry and the coseismic slip distribution. The results show a dextral event with a peak slip of 3.50 m at a depth of 3.47 km. The shallow depth and unusually large coseismic slip correspond to obvious ground deformation and serious damage in the epicentral zone. The 2020 earthquake highlights an unmapped, steeply dipping strike-slip fault, which possibly enabled a potential ‘curve cut-off’ process on the bending segment of the Pokupsko fault in the context of ∼N–S compression in NW Croatia. The large coseismic slip and high stress drop associated with the M_w 6.4 Petrinja earthquake are likely products of the geometrically complex fault zones and immature seismotectonic environment in NW Croatia.

On 8 August 2017, a strong earthquake occurred on an unmapped extension of the Huya fault, Sichuan, China, causing severe damage to local communities. This event highlights the northward migration of major earthquakes along a single strike‐slip fault. We analyze the source characteristics with Global Positioning System (GPS)/ Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar static displacements and high‐rate GPS/teleseismic dynamic motions. Our analyses show a complex slip pattern characterized by two patches with a mean slip of 0.6 m and predominantly strike‐slip components. Slip propagates at a rupture speed of approximately 3.2 km/s for about 30 km in length and 20 km in width. Given a slip rate of 0.5 mm/year derived from GPS observations, the mean slip of 0.6 m inferred from the slip model suggests a recurrence interval of ~1,000 years for this earthquake and alike on the Huya fault. The Coulomb stress increase of 0.82 bar caused by preceding earthquakes promoted the failure of the northern Huya fault in 2017. In particular, the nucleation of this event was partially facilitated by the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake and postseismic deformation. Long‐term slip deficits on most parts of the Huya fault have been balanced largely by a series of strong earthquakes since the early 1970s. As yet, a few of seismic gaps remain hazardous during the final stage of one seismic cycle. In particular, the ongoing postseismic relaxation will hasten further the 20‐ to 25‐km long segment in the Jiuzhaigou National Natural Reserve closer to failure in a moderate size earthquake.

On 20 April 2013, an Mw 6.6 Lushan earthquake occurred on the southwestern segment of the Longmen Shan fault belt, which is the tectonic block boundary between the eastern Tibetan plateau and the Sichuan basin. Seismic reflection profiles and aftershock relocation indicate that there exists a back thrust fault in the source region but whether it is ruptured during the Lushan earthquake remains controversial. Here the precise leveling data are firstly used together with Global Positioning System (GPS), Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR), and strong motion data to invert for the fault geometry and slip distribution associated with the earthquake. The joint inversion result shows that the Lushan earthquake occurred on a blind thrust fault with strike N208.5 °E and dip 42.1° to the NW and did not rupture the back reverse fault. The coseismic slip model reveals the Lushan earthquake involves the rupture of one major asperity. The coseismic slip is mainly concentrated on a steeply dipping fault plane. The coseismic rupture terminates on the southwestern side of the seismic gap between the Wenchuan and Lushan earthquakes. Topographic stress may be the dominant mechanism of coseismic rupture termination.