Roger's link explains that M8 takes the seismic zones=plate boundaries and breaks them up into the 200+ circles listed in Table 1. Apparently, Brian also uses plate boundaries...which is simply logical, so not a coincidence. What M8 does is choose some number of the circles as having an increased chance of failing in a few year period. Caution: i have not read any of the publications, am not an earthquake seismologist, but think that is what M8 does. I did not know what MSc stands for...now, from Roger's link, I do.
Chris