John,

Well according to Lucy Jones in a documentary she filmed she said it was important because it took some kind of pressure to bring the oil up into the hills which was thought to be a phenomena related to the Northridge fault, prior to the earthquake. So oil down below may mean one thing and above something else. Maybe you can ask Lucy about that.

However, you said you wanted to see something new. I was checking the Ohlone PBO station and you can see the graph attached. At the down point in the center is 3/1/06 when there was a 3.4 at Orinda, which is a few miles away. Now its headed downward again, so when it reaches its lowest point I suppose that may be when we should expect another quake. Perhaps within a week or so. I sent an e-mail to Mal Johnson and asked if there was water in the equipment but he hasn't answered yet. He's always traveling so its difficult for him sometimes to reply early. But since the 3/1 quake occurred I think it must be working this time.

Petra

• Ohlone PBO Station