Hi All. If only we could understand what we know. It sure would help.

In 1993 there was a change in the magnetics in the Parkfield area. The high magnetics that were being seen on the southwest side of the fault south of Parkfield dropped and is now being seen on the northeast side of the fault north of Parkfield.

Does this mean that the area north of Parkfield is now the main area of stress build which has in turn caused the movement south of Parkfield to slow up, or stop altogether, or does it mean that the area south of Parkfield is loosing up and is close to the next major quake?

I ran a check on the locations of the M>6.0 quakes in the Parkfield area as well as the 1857 Fort Tejon quake. The 1902 quake was about 10 miles north of Parkfield, the 1922 quake was about 2 miles east of Cholame, the 1934 was about 5 miles north of Cholame and the 1966 quake was about 5 miles north of Parkfield. The 1857 Fort Tejon quake was about 2 miles west of Cholame. This is based on foreshocks that were noted in the area days before the quake.

Since 1993 there has been an increase in quakes south of Parkfield and most particularly in the area south of Cholame. I don’t think anyone really knows what this means in regards to future activity in the area, but I do know that there are some who are keeping a close eye on the area. I have no real good idea as to what they expect to see, but I’m sure an increase in quake activity is one of the things they are looking for. I’m not talking about your average run of the mill type quakes, but more in the line of quakes in the M>5.0 range and up. Guess we will just have to wait and see. Take Care…Don in creepy town