A highly unusual earthquake occurred this morning in Alabama U.S.
with the following NEIS epicentral parameters:

O: 08DEC2001 01:08:21 34.7N 86.3W ML=3.9 NEIS Alabama

This event occurred at 107 degrees from the great Qinghai
China earthquake and is probably an FFA from that event. The FFA forecast had
stated:

"
Areas of U.S. and Canada where triggering may occur (Ml>=3 or unusual events)

...Virginia"

Hurricane Olga may also have had a role in the triggering of this
event. The forecast had expected highly unusual activity in the
southeastern U.S.

This is the largest event within 100 km of this epicenter since
a Ml 4.4 occurred on Feb 18, 1964. Other larger areal events have
occurred in 1927 (ML 4.2) and in 1902 (Ml 4.2).