Forgot to mention, though it goes w/o saying, that for those who embark on properly executing the above mentioned steps that there just may be various types of data useful for prediction purposes. It may be that currently the face value of such data may be zero (without a good theory to support the need for it). IOW, there may be data laying around now whose value is unrecognized but which may be forthcoming after some diligence.

The USGS has 30 Million to drill a 1.6 mile hole into the SAJ (which will disappear during the next quake) but no money for this type of effort. Go figure.... (Congressional "soft money" paid to win the $30 M contract)?

I'd rather have some advance quake warning rather than some nebulous hole of dubious value for $30 mill. Pork anyone ?

Just my $.02 worth