Earthquake Fault Research Articles

Hypocenter‐Based 3D Imaging of Active Faults: Method and Applications in the Southwestern Swiss Alps

AbstractDespite the fact that earthquake occurrence can be strongly influenced by the architecture of pre‐existing faults, it remains challenging to obtain information about the detailed subsurface geometries of active fault systems. Current geophysical methods for studying such systems often fail to resolve geometrical complexities at sufficiently high spatial resolutions. In this work, we present a novel method for imaging the detailed 3D architectures of seismically active faults based on high‐precision hypocenter catalogs, using nearest neighbor learning and principal component analysis. The proposed approach enables to assess variations in fault instabilities and kinematics. We apply the method to the relatively relocated St. Léonard (max.ML = 3.2) and Anzère (max.ML = 3.3) microearthquake sequences in the Southwestern Swiss Alps, revealing strike‐slip fault systems with interconnecting stepovers at depths of 3–7 km and lengths ranging from 0.5 to 2 km. In combination with additional information about fault instabilities and kinematics, we observe significantly reduced earthquake migration velocities and fault locking processes within the stepovers. Understanding such processes and their role in the propagation of strain across stepovers is of great relevance, as these structures can potentially limit earthquake ruptures but also represent possible locations for the nucleation of larger ruptures. Our proposed method is expected to be broadly useful for further applications such as monitoring hydraulic fracture stimulations or geothermal exploration of natural, fluid‐bearing faults. Conducting similar high‐resolution spatiotemporal analyses of microseismic sequences has the potential to greatly enhance our comprehension of how the 3D fault architecture impacts seismogenic fault reactivation.

PELATIHAN KESELAMATAN TERHADAP GEMPA DI KELURAHAN BENDUNG KECAMATAN KASEMEN KOTA SERANG

Indonesia is an earthquake-prone country. Almost all of the islands in Indonesia lie in the ring of fire of the world's earthquakes. Earthquake disasters often occur and cause a lot of loss, both property and casualties. However, until now, education for the public to be prepared for earthquake disasters is still inadequate. The community is always unprepared and only resigned to fate in facing the earthquake. Earthquake disaster mitigation is generally the responsibility of the government, but the government itself cannot make effective efforts without the help of experts and the participation of the community itself. The PKM Earthquake Safety Training Program is aimed at the people of Kelurahan Bendung, Kecamatan Kasemen, Serang, Banten because based on the findings of the latest earthquake fault, namely the Baribis Fault, the area has the potential for a large earthquake to occur. This program aims to educate the people there about prevention efforts before an earthquake occurs, what to do when an earthquake occurs, and what to do after an earthquake occurs. It is hoped that the knowledge provided will be useful, and the people there can be prepared for earthquake disasters, so that loss of life and property due to the earthquake can be diminished.

Study on the sequence activities of the 2021 Yangbi MS 6.4 earthquake in Yunnan

On 21 May 2021, the MS 6.4 earthquake struck Yangbi County, Dali City, Yunnan Province. Minor seismic activities were common both before and after the earthquake; the foreshock sequence activity characteristics of this earthquake were studied to gain a better understanding and more perspective. First, between May 18 and 5 July 2021, we collected data of the seismic events from the Yangbi MS 6.4 earthquake sequence, determined the minimum magnitude of completeness of the sequence based on the magnitude-frequency relationship, filtered out the more complete earthquake sequences, and performed double-difference earthquake relocation using the HypoDD method. Then, we improved the nearest-neighbor distance algorithm and used it in conjunction with the Gaussian mixed model fitting method to conduct a comprehensive multiple factor analysis of the Yangbi MS 6.4 earthquake sequence. The main findings of our preliminary analysis are as follows: 1) We distinguished the foreshocks, mainshocks, and aftershocks of the Yangbi earthquake sequence as well as their higher-order aftershocks, using the method described in this paper, and we can obtain clear intergenerational relationships between them. We identified eight “foreshocks” with statistically greater physical significance than the others and found that majority of the shocks occurred shortly after the mainshock were direct aftershocks, with secondary or higher-order aftershocks gradually increasing in the later stage of the sequence. 2) Combining the double-difference earthquake relocation and the event distribution on the fault plane, we found that the b-value of the Yangbi foreshock sequence was clearly on the lower end of the spectrum, with an obvious nonlinear amplification process, and can be divided into three foreshock sub-sequences: sub-sequence I with the lowest b-value and a concentrated spatial distribution, which is an F-value foreshock sequence; subsequence II with an overall shallower source depth and an obvious rebound in b-value, which is an explosive aftershock sequence; subsequence III with a lower b-value and a rapid rupture spread, which is a typical U-F-ρ foreshock. 3) We constructed a topological tree of the Yangbi foreshock sequence in Yunnan Province using the nearest-neighbor distance algorithm, combining the correlation between earthquake sequence type and fault rupture intensity. We analyzed the distribution and topology of the three sub-sequences (combined) of the Yangbi MS 6.4 foreshock sequence and found the following: the topology of subsequence I was more linear than the sequence II, each was the parent event of the subsequent event, and its rupture mode was similar to the fluid intrusion rupture in a specific channel; sequence II had a relatively simple topology, exhibiting a spray topology, and independently formed a main-aftershock mini-sequence, probably triggered by its shallow brittle rupture, which caused the fluid intrusion rupture to spread faster and eventually triggered the Yangbi MS6.4 mainshock.

Coseismic drop of seismic velocity caused by the 2023 Turkey–Syria earthquakes

SUMMARY The Mw 7.8 earthquake in Turkey on 6 February 2023 was extraordinary for various reasons. It originated in depth of only 10 km, ruptured along a fault plane around 300 km long and the surface was covered by an extensive network of high-quality seismic instruments. The strong motions resulted in a vast number of tragic casualties and huge material losses in Turkey and Syria. However, abundant and proximate seismic observations of this event and numerous aftershocks give an opportunity to deepen the understanding of earthquake processes. In this study, we carried out an assessment of coseismic changes of seismic velocity using passive image interferometry. We used data from one strong-motion and twenty-four broad-band sensors. We observed coseismic drops of seismic velocity, which reached up to −1.79 per cent at a location directly at the ruptured East Anatolian Fault Zone. Along the Mw 7.8 earthquake fault, we observe frequency dependence of the velocity changes. At frequencies above 0.5 Hz, the velocity drops seem to be higher at locations close to the ruptured faults than in the more distant areas.

Tsunami initial profile and maximum runup through earthquake source parameters

SUMMARY The 1992 September 1 Nicaragua tsunami manifested itself with an initial shoreline recession, resulting in a fundamental change in approach to define the initial waveform of tsunamis from a solitary wave to an N-wave. Here, we first fit N-wave profile to seafloor deformation for a large set of earthquake scenarios, assuming that the seafloor deformation resulting from an earthquake instantaneously transfers to the sea surface. Then, relating the N-wave parameters to the earthquake source parameters, we express the initial tsunami profile in terms of the earthquake source parameters. Further, we calculate the maximum tsunami runup through earthquake source parameters and test our results against field runup measurements for several events, observing good agreement.

Strongly Scattering Medium Along Slow Earthquake Fault Zones Based on New Observations of Short‐Duration Tremors

AbstractTremors are a type of slow earthquake with long‐duration signals compared to ordinary earthquakes. The long signals have been considered to solely reflect their long source process. However, here, we provide evidence suggesting that the source processes of tremors are not always long. We refer to these observations as short‐duration tremors. They were recorded by ocean‐bottom seismometers placed very close to the source. Although these tremors exhibit a short‐duration signal when recorded near the source, they exhibit a typical long‐duration signal elsewhere. Our numerical simulations demonstrate that the features can be captured by considering a strongly scattering medium around their source. One such structure could be small low‐velocity inclusions distributed around the seismic source. The inclusions may represent the seismic expression of geologically detected aquifers in tremor source regions. Furthermore, this medium could be embedded along the slow earthquake fault zone and play a critical role in their source process.

Alluvial fan response to Alpine Fault earthquakes on the Westland piedmont, Whataroa, Aotearoa‐New Zealand

AbstractWe examined the stratigraphy of alluvial fans formed at the steep range front of the Southern Alps at Te Taho, on the north bank of the Whataroa River in central West Coast, South Island, New Zealand. The range front coincides with the Alpine Fault, an Australian‐Pacific plate boundary fault, which produces regular earthquakes. Our study of range front fans revealed aggradation at 100‐ to 300‐year intervals. Radiocarbon ages and soil residence times (SRTs) estimated by a quantitative profile development index allowed us to elucidate the characteristics of four episodes of aggradation since 1000 CE. We postulate a repeating mode of fan behaviour (fan response cycle [FRC]) linked to earthquake cycles via earthquake‐triggered landslides. FRCs are characterised by short response time (aggradation followed by incision) and a long phase when channels are entrenched and fan surfaces are stable (persistence time). Currently, the Te Taho and Whataroa River fans are in the latter phase. The four episodes of fan building we determined from an OxCal sequence model correlate to Alpine Fault earthquakes (or other subsidiary events) and support prior landscape evolution studies indicating ≥M7.5 earthquakes as the main driver of episodic sedimentation. Our findings are consistent with other historic non‐earthquake events on the West Coast but indicate faster responses than other earthquake sites in New Zealand and elsewhere where rainfall and stream gradients (the basis for stream power) are lower. Judging from the thickness of fan deposits and the short response times, we conclude that pastoral farming (current land‐use) on the fans and probably across much of the Whataroa River fan would be impossible for several decades after a major earthquake. The sustainability of regional tourism and agriculture is at risk, more so because of the vulnerability of the single through road in the region (State Highway 6).

The Strategy of Housing Rehabilitation and Reconstruction after 2022 Earthquake in Cianjur, West Java, Indonesia

Monday, November 21st, 2022 at 13.21.10 WIB the Cianjur Regency area was rocked by a tectonic earthquake with a magnitude of M-5.6. The epicenter was located in the source zone of an active fault earthquake which had not been mapped before and it was recently identified that the earthquake was caused by the Cugenang Fault. The earthquake resulted in 335 fatalities, 8 people were missing, and 59,889 houses were damaged. After the emergency response steps were taken, further measures taken were post-disaster rehabilitation and reconstruction activities so that community activities could recover quickly, including the recovery of the housing and settlement sector. Therefore, the Government launched a post-disaster recovery program by providing program and budget support for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of housing and settlements. The purpose of this research is to analyze the strategy for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the housing and settlement sector affected by the Cianjur earthquake. This research is a qualitative research with a literature study approach where the data comes from books, journals, regulations, documentation and other literature. The results showed that the strategy for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the housing sector was carried out using two mechanisms, namely 1) stimulant financial assistance for housing repairs carried out in-situ using the community empowerment method and 2) relocating houses affected by disasters which were carried out ex-situ using the contractual method. This research is a qualitative research with a literature study approach where the data comes from books, journals, regulations, documentation and other literature. The results showed that the strategy for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the housing sector was carried out using two mechanisms, namely 1) stimulant financial assistance for housing repairs carried out in-situ using the community empowerment method and 2) relocating houses affected by disasters which were carried out ex-situ using the contractual method. This research is a qualitative research with a literature study approach where the data comes from books, journals, regulations, documentation and other literature. The results showed that the strategy for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the housing sector was carried out using two mechanisms, namely 1) stimulant financial assistance for housing repairs carried out in-situ using the community empowerment method and 2) relocating houses affected by disasters which were carried out ex-situ using the contractual method.

Backscattering Characteristics of SAR Images in Damaged Buildings Due to the 2016 Kumamoto Earthquake

Most research on the extraction of earthquake-caused building damage using synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images used building damage certification assessments and the EMS-98-based evaluation as ground truth. However, these methods do not accurately assess the damage characteristics. The buildings identified as Major damage in the Japanese damage certification survey contain damage with various characteristics. If Major damage is treated as a single class, the parameters of SAR images will vary greatly, and the relationship between building damage and SAR images would not be properly evaluated. Therefore, it is necessary to divide Major damage buildings into more detailed classes. In this study, the Major damage buildings were newly classified into five damage classes, to correctly evaluate the relationship between building damage characteristics and SAR imagery. The proposed damage classification is based on Japanese damage assessment data and field photographs, and is classified according to the dominant damage characteristics of the building, such as collapse and damage to walls and roofs. We then analyzed the backscattering characteristics of SAR images for each classified damage class. We used ALOS-2 PALSAR-2 images observed before and after the 2016 Kumamoto earthquake in Mashiki Town, where many buildings were damaged by the earthquake. Then, we performed the analysis using two indices, the correlation coefficient R and the coherence differential value γdif, and the damage class. The results indicate that the backscattering characteristics of SAR images show different trends in each damage class. The R tended to decrease for large deformations such as collapsed buildings. The γdif was likely to be sensitive not only to collapsed buildings but also to damage with relatively small deformation, such as distortion and tilting. In addition, it was suggested that the ground displacement near the earthquake fault affected the coherence values.

Discovery of the Qinghe fault, the inner part of the Weihe graben, central China, and its geological significance

The Weihe graben is an active Cenozoic continental rift with frequent seismic activity. The previous work focused on the graben boundary faults, but less work has been conducted on the faults in the internal graben. The Weihe basin is an economically developed and densely populated area. Therefore, identifying these potential risks is significant for the evaluation of regional seismic hazards and to understand the evolution of continental rifts. Prior work used oil exploration methods to document a fault (we named it “Qinghe fault”) in the Qinghe river area of Sanyuan County, north of Xi’an. But the shallow structure and activity was not clear. Therefore, we carried out shallow seismic detection and borehole exploration, as well as a geological survey in the area. Based on seismic reflection profile and boreholes, the Qinghe fault is the main fault and with other secondary faults, together they constitute a typical Y-shaped structure, with a fracture zone width ∼4 km. Combined with the field survey, we provide evidence that the Qinghe fault is a Holocene active fault and capable of earthquakes of magnitude 5.2–5.5. The discovery of the Qinghe fault shows that the Weihe rift is active, and the faults inside the rift play an important role in tectonic deformation.

Sliding sector–based adaptive controller for seismic control of structures equipped with active tuned mass damper

Active tuned mass damper (ATMD) as a reliable active device of structural control can protect structures subjected to earthquake excitations from the severe seismic damages. The present study focus on the design of an adaptive sliding sector controller (ASSC) employed in the ATMD system to mitigate the seismic responses of an 11–story shear building under earthquake excitations. The ASSC technique is designed based on the hyper-surface of the sliding mode which is surrounded by a sector and can consider the uncertainty of system parameters. In this study, the design of the ASSC strategy is first implemented for the structure subjected to an artificial earthquake excitation. Then, the performance of the ASSC strategy is evaluated in mitigating the seismic responses of the structure under four near– and far–fault earthquake excitations. Furthermore, the efficiency of the ASSC strategy is also compared against that of a few control techniques including proportional-integral-derivative [PID], linear-quadratic regulator [LQR], fuzzy logic control [FLC], optimal sliding mode control [OMSC]. Comparative results of the numerical simulation confirm the robustness and ability of the ASSC strategy for the reduction of the structural responses under real earthquake excitations.

Focal mechanism of Luding M 6.8 earthquake, September 2022 and analysis of the loading role of the tectonic stress on the seismogenic fault

To reveal the seismogenic mechanism of the Luding earthquake, we employed the 118 China Seismic Network stations to collect the P-wave polarity data from each station, which was then used in the P-wave first motion approach to calculate the focal mechanism solution of the M6.8 Luding earthquake that occurred on September 5, 2022. We have also studied the loading effect of tectonic stress on the Luding earthquake fault based on the stress field data for the research area. The results indicate that this earthquake was a strike-slip type, the nodal plane I: strike 167°, dip Angle 78°, slip Angle 2°; Nodal plane Ⅱ: strike 77°, dip Angle 88°, slip Angle 168°. The two fault planes’ instability coefficients of the Luding earthquake are examined considering the region’s background stress field’s condition. The nodal plane I in the Moho circle is discovered to practically coincide with the Coulomb failure line and the tangent point of the Moho circle, indicating that this nodal plane has a high instability coefficient compared to the nodal plane II. The conclusion is that the nodal plane I has a higher likelihood of being the seismogenic fault plane, which is congruent with the seismogenic fault plane suggested by the aftershock distribution, the earthquake radiation energy distribution of a single station, and seismic intensity distribution. The Luding earthquake’s focal mechanism is highly like the theoretical focal mechanism of the fault situated at the location where the Coulomb failure line intersects the Mohr circle, demonstrating that background stress is what caused the earthquake. The substantial fault instability and similarity between the solved and theoretical focal mechanisms make it easier to comprehend the loading effect of tectonic stress on the Luding earthquake fault.

Monitoring of ground movement and estimation of earthquake fault parameters using Sentinel-1 data (Case study: Genaveh earthquake)

Monitoring of ground movement and estimation of earthquake fault parameters using Sentinel-1 data (Case study: Genaveh earthquake)

Earthquake fault slip and nonlinear dynamics

Earthquake fault slip under shear forcing can be envisioned as a nonlinear dynamical process dominated by a single slip plane. In contrast, nonlinear behavior in Earth materials (e.g., rock) is driven by a strain-induced ensemble activation and slip of a large number of distributed features—cracks and grain boundary slip across many scales in the volume. The bulk recovery of a fault post-failure and that of a rock sample post dynamic or static forcing (”aging” or the “slow dynamics”) is very similar with approximate log(time) dependence for much of the recovery. In our work, we analyze large amounts of continuous acoustic emission (AE) data from a laboratory “earthquake machine,” applying machine learning, with the task of determining what information regarding fault slip the AE signal may carry. Applying the continuous AE as input to machine learning models and using measured fault friction, displacement, etc., as model labels, we find that the AE are imprinted with information regarding the fault friction and displacement. We are currently developing approaches to probe stick-slip on Earth faults, those that are responsible for damaging earthquakes. A related goal is to quantitatively relate nonlinear elastic theory (e.g., PM space, Arrhenius) to frictional theory (e.g., rate-state).

3次元レーザースキャナによる地震被害建物の変形量評価

In order to obtain knowledge regarding damage mechanisms of building located above surface of the 2016 Kumamoto earthquake fault, the residual deformations of the building were investigated with 3D point cloud data obtained by a laser scanner. The 3D point cloud data contain noise due to measurement error and diffuse reflection. Residual deformations were grasped accurately with method reducing the influence of measurement error by using RANSAC algorism which is one of robust estimations. The validity of the obtained results is also confirmed by comparing other research and evaluating the error.

On the possibility of rogue wave generation based on the dynamics of modified Burridge-Knopoff model of earthquake fault

In this study we propose a modified Burridge‐Knopoff model of earthquake fault, in which two tectonic plates are strongly coupled by nonlinear springs. By minimizing the effects of the veloci‐ ty‐weakening stick‐slip friction force between the masses and the moving surface, and in the limit of low amplitude oscillations; the system exhibits both stick‐slip and damped oscillatory motions as the values of some parameters are varied. Such motions usually characterize the dynamics of an earthquake fault, even though it is not always felt because of the low amplitude of vibrations. However when enough stress builds up in the subduction zones to overcome the frictional forces between tectonic plates, the oceanic rocks suddenly slip and there is violent release of energy at the epicentre. This outburst of energy simply signifies the generation of a very large amplitude and localized nonlinear wave. Such wave profile exactly fits the Peregrine solution of the damped/ forced nonlinear Schrodinger amplitude equation, derived from the modified one‐dimensional Burridge‐Knopoff equation of motion. In the regime of minimal or no frictional forces, these mon‐ ster waves suddenly appear and disappear without traces as shown by the numerical investigations. Our results strongly suggest that rogue waves emanates from the dynamics of nonlinearly coupled tectonic plates in subduction zones. This is further complemented by the fact that these giant waves were initially observed in Pacific and Atlantic oceans, which play hosts to the world’s largest oceanic subduction zones.

Influence of Near Fault Earthquakes with Forward Directivity and Fling Step on Seismic Response of Steel Box-Girder Bridge

The existing bridge seismic design guidelines that rely on the ground acceleration in the far fault zone,ignore the potential impact of near fault forward directivity and fling-step effects on the bridge structures. In the current study probabilistic seismic damage evaluation of a continuous four-span box girder bridge under the impact of near-fault forward directivity and fling step effect is studied employing the fragility analysis. The incremental dynamic analysis is used to construct the fragility curves which shows a range of damage states from minor to collapse for the different damage metrics and for the considered peak ground acceleration varying between 0.1g and 1.2g. Damage metrics such displacement pier ductility, rotational pier ductility and displacement of girder are used to develop the fragility curves and the probabilistic seismic damage model. To evaluate the bridge vulnerability, a probabilistic seismic damage assessment is performed using an ensemble of forward directivity and an ensemble of fling-step comprising permanent ground offset. The suggested probability-based earthquake damage framework is anticipated to be a well-versed model able to estimate the seismic damages to the continuous box girder bridges while taking into account the variation of near fault earthquakes. The findings show that, even at low PGA values the forward directivity and the fling-step ground motions represent a significant risk to the bridge.

Melting of fault gouge at shallow depth during the 2008 MW 7.9 Wenchuan earthquake, China

AbstractTypical rocks at shallow depths of seismogenic faults are fluid-rich gouges. During earthquakes, on-fault frictional heating may trigger thermal pressurization and dynamic fault weakening. We show that frictional melting, rather than thermal pressurization, occurred at shallow depths during the 2008 MW 7.9 Wenchuan earthquake, China. One year after the Wenchuan earthquake, we found an ~2-mm-thick, glass-bearing pseudotachylyte (solidified frictional melt) in the fault gouges retrieved at 732.6 m depth from the first borehole of the Wenchuan Earthquake Fault Scientific Drilling Project. The matrix of pseudotachylyte is enriched in barium and cut by barite-bearing veins, which provide evidence of co- and postseismic fluid percolation. Because pseudotachylyte can be rapidly altered in the presence of percolating fluids, its preservation suggests that gouge melting occurred in a recent large earthquake, possibly the Wenchuan earthquake. Rock friction experiments on fluid-rich fault gouges deformed at conditions expected for seismic slip at borehole depths showed the generation of pseudotachylytes. This result, along with the presence of a second slip zone attributed to the Wenchuan earthquake at 589.2 m depth, implies that during large earthquakes, frictional melting can occur at shallow depths and that seismic slip can be accommodated by multiple faults. This conclusion is consistent with the evidence from surface faulting that multiple ruptures propagated during the Wenchuan earthquake.

Fault friction under thermal pressurization during large seismic-slip: Numerical analyses and extension of the model of frictional slip

Earthquake faults are the result of severe strain localization in rocks deep down in the earth’s crust. This localized deformation is controlled by the size of the microstructure and various Thermo-Hydro-Mechanical (THM) couplings, whose modeling is central for understanding earthquake nucleation and seismic energy release. We model this challenging system using the Cosserat theory and by considering large shear deformations during seismic slip. Our numerical results justify the rate and state friction law (Dieterich, 1992; Ruina, 1983a), which describes empirically the fault tribology. This shows the importance of the underlying physics of our model for fault friction. In our analyses traveling shear bands along the thickness of the fault are present, leading to oscillations in the fault’s frictional response. Existing numerical analyses presented in Rattez et al. (2018a, 2018b, 2018c) do not capture this behavior, which goes beyond the established models of uniform shear (Lachenbruch, 1980) and shear on a mathematical plane (Rice, 2006a). Recent experimental results, that insulate thermal pressurization from other weakening mechanisms (Badt et al., 2020), corroborate our numerical results. Our results motivate us to extend the classical model of thermal pressurization in Mase & Smith (1987) and Rice (2006b) to incorporate different strain localization modes, temperature and pore fluid pressure boundary conditions.In particular, we start our analysis by using the normalized coupled system of partial differential equations that include the THM couplings for the case of a Cosserat continuum. We then perform a bifurcation analysis, which indicates that traveling shear bands are possible inside the fault gouge. Next, we derive our non linear mesh independent numerical results accounting for the influence of large displacements by using and Adaptive Lagrangian Eulerian (ALE) procedure. We introduce viscosity in our numerical analyses for the rate and state phenomenology to emerge. We corroborate our numerical results comparing them to similar laboratory experiments. Furthermore, we modify the Volterra integral equation of the classical model of thermal pressurization in Mase & Smith (1987) and Rice (2006b), which we solve by a semi analytical procedure, in order to capture the effect of isothermal drained boundary conditions and traveling shear bands. Our results reappraise and extend the established models of frictional weakening due to thermal pressurization during coseismic slip.

Accuracy evaluation on five non-linear methods for fault parameter inversion of different-type fault earthquakes

Accurate inversion of seismic fault parameters has been a challenge in the studies of geophysical non-linear inversion problems. Many non-linear methods such as Simulated Annealing (SA), Genetic Algorithm (GA), Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO), and Multipeaks Particle Swarm Optimization (MPSO), have usually been applied to inverse the fault parameters from geodetic observation data. However, their accuracy and availability can vary from different-type fault earthquakes (pure strike-slip, pure dip-slip fault, oblique-slip fault earthquakes). In order to evaluate the accuracy and availability of these non-linear methods on inversion for fault parameters of different-type fault earthquakes, we applied the SA, GA, PSO, MPSO methods and a new non-linear method—Black Hole Particle Swarm Optimization (BHPSO), to inverse fault parameters of different-type earthquakes from synthetic and observed GPS and InSAR data. We found that the MPSO and BHPSO performed better than SA, GA, and PSO for inversion from both the synthetic and observed data. The synthetic data simulation results showed that the Root-Mean-Square Errors (RMSEs) of MPSO and BHPSO methods were 0.01–0.06 m, smaller than those of SA, GA and PSO. We then applied these five methods to inverse fault parameters of two real earthquakes—the 2020 Nevada Mw 6.4 earthquake and 2021 Maduo Mw 7.4 earthquake, from observed GPS and InSAR data. We found that the RMSEs of MPSO and BHPSO were 0.005–0.195 m, also smaller than those of SA, GA, and PSO, and the MPSO and BHPSO performed better than SA, GA, and PSO. The results in this study demonstrated that the MPSO and BHPSO, can hold high accuracy and availability for inversion of fault parameters of different-type fault earthquakes.