Hi All. Having had some time to sit down and analyze the data from San Juan Bautista (SJB) it appears that an increase in creep started around the time of the 4.1Ml quake. It wasn’t until around 0000hrs on the 3rd that it slipped into overdrive.

The two creep meters that indicated an increase in creep (about 4mm) are located about 4 miles SE of SJB at the Almaden Winery. The other 2 creep meters are located near SJB. These two data site are not indicating any creep of any kind. Of course creep could be at a much lower level and doesn’t necessarily show it at the surface. However as there are no microquakes in the area of SJB it could be said that there is no creep anywhere near these locations. This could mean that there is a possibility for any increase in strain in and around the SJB, or maybe much closer to the area of the quakes.

This last swarm is not normal for this section of the fault. Most of the quakes appeared to be associated with the San Andreas Fault, but there is a possibility that more then one fault was moving. Also there were a few quakes that do not appear to be associated with the San Andreas Fault. There are a couple of other active faults in that area so a few of the quakes could have been on one of those faults.

One probable reasons (This is pure speculation of course.) for this unusual swarm just might be that when the rock broke causing the 4.1Ml the fault started to move and other rocks that were in the way weren’t sufficiently large enough to prevent the movement for any period of time thereby causing another quake and continued until there were no more rocks, or whatever standing in the way.

Would appreciate hearing any other theories that anyone might have. Take Care…Don in creepy town.