Hi Diane,

I'm not so sure that its the suns activity. The elctron flux is showing a very big decrease from normal levels while at the same time Kp readings are showing a very big increase. One of the magnetometer stations recording the Kp readings is in San Jose. Others are spread around in North America including Canada.

Maybe I'm wrong, but the way that I am seeing it is something is sucking electrons out of the upper atomosphere into the earths crust which the magnetometers are picking up for the Kp readings. This in turn charges the geocapacitors allowing for a fault to slip more easily. Somehow, electricity decreases the coefficient of friction.

Dennis