Many thanks for the detailed analysis Lowell. If it helps, the site I was looking at when I made my comment about decreased activity was http://quake.usgs.gov/recenteqs/. At the bottom of the map it tells how many earthquakes are on the map over the past week. I had noticed just by casual observation that the number had remained at around 240 for about the last 10 days or so, and then started dropping to where it is now, at about 198 as of this writing. It appeared to be a sustained peak to me, but I trust your figures greatly over my “casual observation.”

Thanks again for taking the time to look at it, and for your explanation regarding the numbers differences in the catalog listings. Very much appreciated!

Take care, BW

• Recent Earthquakes in California and Nevada