Hi Barry,

Now that's a load. I'm no expert, but I cannot see any connection between New Madrid and South America. South America was quiet for awhile and I think its just coming back to perfectly normal behavior. Though I think it is interesting that we have had so many off shore earthquakes along CA and Oregon this past week. Though I don't think it means anything.

Now for true interest there has been a definite increase in activity near San Pablo Bay along the Hayward Fault in the last three weeks. This area has not in the past been very active and actually the earthquakes there are almost rare. So it does make one take a heads up and wonder if the Hayward fault has a weak point there and perhaps more is yet to come. I believe it is an area to watch.

Another curious earthquake was the one off shore of Pt. Reyes. It was the 4th in the history of recording earthquakes there. So, very rare. But not very important because all of the previous earthquakes were in the 2.0 category.

But in looking for connections, I have noticed when Baja has a quake it is not long when the Mendocino Triple Junction becomes active, though due to the size of the earthquakes in Baja, it cannot possibly make a true connection to the North Coast.

Maybe some other more learned person can jump in here and add something of substance.

Petra