Hi Bob. For what it's worth I would to have to say that all quakes that occurred should be counted. If you make a prediction for a quake of 5.5M to 6.5M at 30.00N/122.00W on 04/23/01 plus or minus 5 days with a radius of 50 miles and there are 10 quakes with the largest being 7.0M but the 7.0M was outside the window in regards to time by one day. Those 9 quakes before the 7.0M were all related to the 7.0M. I would have to say that all of the quakes are a hit including the one outside the window. The scoring system I use for myself would be AAAAB. The first A for the magnitudes of the first 9 quakes. The second and third As for the latitude and longitude the fourth A for the magnitude of 7.0m because when I predict a quake that has the potential for major damage and death I allow myself one whole magnitude and the B for the 7.0M because it was outside the window in regards to time by one day. It would a C if it was 2 days and a D if it was 3 days. The reason being is that each quake before the 7.0M could be changing the conditions that are leading to the 7.0M. It could also be said that the first 9 quakes were all leading to the 7.0M and was doing it one quake at time. If the quake occurred 1 day before the window it would be a D because the objective is to predict the quake before it occurs.

What has to be kept in mind is that you are predicting a quake that has the potential of causing damage and death. When this kind of a situation takes place and you see the potential for a large quake you can revise your prediction before the main event takes place. What you're trying to do is save lives, not see how many points you can get. Hope this makes sense. Take Care…Don in creepy town.