Hi Canie:

If I were you I would consider getting supporting data on the magnets by checking with your neighbors (hope they won't think your nuts
:-)...and /or buying some new ones both within about 25-30 km of your location and further away than that.

Test the mags on the side of your car at > 30 km away (From home) and then "ride in" to your home area. Try to watch the (new) mags to see when they let go. At that point, stop, doubleback and repeat. IF the mags lose their grip repeatedly (and /or recover at a further distance away) then I would say there's a good chance an above avg quake maybe still be in the works....

There are three outcomes:
1) Magnets always work (translation...maybe a leaking microwave oven (heat?) damaged/fatigued the magnets on your fridge and no quake is looming and the new magnets stick to the fridge fine).
2) A quake is looming and effected your kitchen magnets and will also effect the new magnets
3) A quake is looming and the new magnets are de-magnetized way before you can get home to test them on the fridge.

OK...2 & 3 are similar except that a more powerful quake will effect a larger radius and closer to any fault lines so the magents may lose their grip far away from you home.

I'm curious to know...my recent data suggests that #1 is what's going on...but we'll see.

mark