Hi All. As most of you already know Petra loves to feel earthquakes. As to why I will never understand. As I have stated so often she is a weird lady so this may have something to do with it. This is the main reason she takes trips down to Parkfield. She hopes to be there when the next M>=6.0 quake strikes. I guess in some ways this makes me a weird as her as I’m the one who takes her down there. Based on information I have found the next M>=6.0 quake in the Parkfield area could be a lot closer to occurring then we think.

In the segment of the San Andreas Fault (SAF) to the South of Parkfield the slip rate has changed. Beginning about 1998 a distinct slow down in the slip rates began indicating a transition to a phase of quiescence perhaps preparatory to occurrence of the anticipated M6 there-similar to the quiescence observed prior to the Loma Prieta quake and to the 5.1 event at SJB to the North.

On 09/06/2002 there was a 3.8Ml quake south of Parkfield and west of the SAF. Since 1969 there have been 10 3.0Ml+ quakes south of Parkfield. Prior to the 3.8Ml acceleration in creep was noted a couple of days before the quake. This was at data site CRR1, which is located due east of the quake. At present time this activity appears to be north of the so-called Parkfield seismic gap.

The last M>=6.0+ quake occurred in the area of Middle Mountain. This was in 1966. There is some speculation that the next M>=6.0 will be south of Parkfield in the area of Chalome. This by the way is also close to where the 1857 Fort Tejon quake is thought to have occurred.

As to when the next M>=6.0 will occur I haven’t the foggiest idea, but I do feel that it will make itself known before it occurs. Take Care…Don in creepy town

• Parkfield