LONG EARTHQUAKE DROUGHTS IN MANY AREAS OF THE U.S. AND CANADA END

SUMMARY

At least six periods of seismic quiet were disrupted today
in the U.S. and Canada - the largest events in some time occurred in
mainland Alaska, Washington/Oregon, southern Ontario and New
Brunswick, Canada; the western U.S. and southern California.

Although just barely, the long drought of earthquakes of Ml>=3
ended this afternoon in the region of Southern California. The
record breaking drought of 26.6 days was broken by a Ml 3.0 earthquake
in the Coso Junction/Santa Isabella area which was followed by
a Ml 2.9 aftershock. The drought has stretched on since a Ml 4.4
his in the Joshua Tree region early on April 5.

In the area 32.5-36N 115-125W this was the longest period during
which no earthquake of Ml>=3 had occurred since May 15, 1966, 36 years
ago. That drought lasted from April 18 to May 15, 1966 (27.0 days) and began
after a Ml 3.4 near Palm Springs and ended with a Ml 3.1 near the same
epicenter. A span of 26.6 days drought also occurred between July 18,
1979 and Aug. 13, 1979, but was less severe as it contained 4 non-Baja
earthquakes of Ml>=3 between 32N and 32.5N.

The earthquake in Southern California was preceded earlier in
the day by a Mb 4.8 off the Coast of Oregon. This was the largest
event recorded in the western U.S. since Dec. 8, 2001 when a similar
Mb 4.8 occurred east of today's epicenter. That earthquake came
at the end of the longest previous seismic drought in the western U.S.
The event off the Coast of Oregon on Dec. 8 was followed by a Mb 5.7
5.5 hours later in the Calexico area. Today, the Ml 3.0 in southern
California followed the Oregon earthquake by 9.5 hours.

Similarly the largest earthquakes in some time in the Alaskan
Mainland (Ml 4.7) and in the states of Washington and Oregon (Ml 2.9) occurred
today. For details on these two events see U.S. section below.

Two earthquakes also struck the region of southern Ontario near the
Minnesota/Wisconsin border this morning. These events of Ml 2.2 and
2.4 were the largest in this region since August 2001, when a Ml 2.8
hit near Pickle Lake, Ontario.

Two earthquakes of Ml 2.6 and 2.3 also occurred in the Miramichi, New
Brunswick area this morning. These were the largest New Brunswick events
since August 30, 2001.

All of the unusual activity in the U.S. and Canada today appeared
to coincide with a moderate proton storm which peaked at about 06:00
to 08:00 UT this morning while the U.S. and Canada were anti-solar.
Whatever the cause, there appears to have been regional seismic
enhancement throughout the U.S. and Canada today.

GLOBAL

Global seismicity was at low levels again today. No earthquakes of
Mb>=5 were listed. The largest events were a Mb 4.8 off the Coast of
Oregon this morning followed by a Mb 4.7 in the Volcano
Islands. Other earthquakes of Mb>=4.5 occurred in the Sea of Japan
(Mb 4.5); New Britain (Mb 4.7), southern Alaska (Ml 4.7); and the Kuril
Islands (Mb 4.3).

U.S./CANADA

As noted, the largest earthquake in the U.S/Canada today was a Mb 4.8
off the Coast of Oregon. This was the largest earthquake in the U.S./
Canada region since the Plattsburg, New York (Mn 5.4) earthquake in
the northern Adirondacks on April 20, 2002 and the largest in the western
section (excluding Alaska) since December 8, 2001, nearly six months
ago. A Mw 7.2 did occur in Guam, a U.S. possession on April 26, but
is not normally considered part of the western U.S.

An earthquake of Ml 4.7 also occurred near Anchorage, Alaska this
morning. This was the largest in the Alaska mainland since March 27,
although a Mb 5.2 occurred in the western Aleutians on April 24, 2002.

No events of Ml>=3 were located in Hawaii today. No regionally
significant earthquakes occurred in the central Rocky Mountains today
either.

The largest earthquake in the Pacific Northwest today was a Mb 2.9 near
Okanagan, Washington. This was the largest earthquake in the states
of Washington or Oregon since a Ml 3.2 occurred on Feb. 19, 2002, 2.5
months ago. Similar Ml 2.9 events have occurred more recently on
April 10 and March 11 in eastern Washington state.

Two earthquakes also struck the region of southern Ontario near the
Minnesota/Wisconsin border this morning. These events of Ml 2.2 and
2.4 were the largest in this region since August 2001, when a Ml 2.8
hit near Pickle Lake, Ontario. Two earthquakes of Ml 2.8 and 2.5 also
occurred in the Miramichi, New Brunswick area this morning. These
were the largest New Brunswick events since August 30, 2001.

In the California/Nevada region groups of microearthquakes
were occurring throughout Central California including a Ml 2.1
and Ml 1.5 near Livermore and Ml 1.5 and 1.9 near Alameda. The
Ml 3.0 near Coso Junction/Lake Isabella had been preceded by a
Ml 2.1 to the north earlier in the day.

NEW ZEALAND

IGNS did not issue information on any new earthquakes today. The
Ml 4.9 near Te Anau, South Island occurred on May 1, 2002 (local time),
however. Information on this event was included in the previous
summary.

The IGNS on-line Seismometer can be found at:
http://www.gns.cri.nz/news/earthquakes/latest_drum.html

GEOMAGNETIC/SOLAR FIELDS

All of the unusual activity in the U.S. and Canada today appeared
to coincide with a moderate proton storm which peaked at about 06:00
to 08:00 UT this morning while the U.S. and Canada were anti-solar.

Otherwise, the geomagnetic field remained at quiet conditions
today and there were no X- or M- class solar flares observed.

Flare # START MAX END CLASS

For general space weather conditions see:
http://sec.noaa.gov/today.html
For Solar flare data see:
http://sec.noaa.gov/ftpdir/indices/events/20020501events.txt

TIDAL EFFECTS

May 03 is the twentieth day after the beginning of the new lunar month.
Regions most likely to experience tidal triggering
on this day (With associated magnitude ranges; the percent change in
seismicity rate over background seismicity rate on this
day of the lunar month; statistical z-value and
significance level) are:

Region Magnitude range %change z-value Significance level

Central US MB>=1.0 63 2.7 0.03
India MB>=4.0 49 2.1 0.05
N So. America MB>=4.0 24 2.8 0.02
Central California MB>=0.0 43 2.8 0.02
Central California MB>=2.0 9 2.3 0.04
Central California MB>=3.0 23 2.8 0.02
Rocky Mountains MB>=0.0 70 2.7 0.02
San Andreas MB>=0.0 23 3.8 0.01
San Andreas MB>=2.0 75 3.4 0.01
San Andreas MB>=3.0 48 3.4 0.01

Regions expected to experience reverse triggering (i.e. they are
unlikely to experience a significant event at this period of the
lunar cycle) are:

Region Magnitude range %change z-value Significance level

NW Europe MB>=4.0 -9 -2.0 0.05
Mammoth lakes MB>=3.0 -17 -1.9 0.05
So Indonesia MB>=4.0 -29 -2.2 0.05

TOMORROW IN EARTHQUAKE HISTORY

GLOBAL:

The following events of Mw>=7 have occurred on this date in
recorded history:

MO DA HR MN SC YEAR LATIT LONGIT DEP MW LOCATION

5 2 11 30 0 1902 39.000 144.000 60 7.0 So. of Honshu
5 2 17 18 9 1943 6.500 -80.000 0 7.1 Panama/No. Colombia
5 2 6 8 27 1971 51.420 -177.210 38 7.1 Andreanoff Islands, Aleutians

U.S./CANADA

Following are events of Mb>=5 which have occurred in this region on

MO DA HR MN SC YEAR LATIT LONGIT DEP MW LOCATION

5 2 16 24 30 1923 50.000 -128.000 0 5.0 British Colombia
5 2 13 14 47 1939 29.500 -113.800 16 6.8 Gulf of California
Reported at Point Loma, Dan Diego, Mission Hills and Newport Beach.

5 2 11 25 47 1949 34.000 -115.700 0 5.9 So. California
Riverside county. Shock centered in desert area southeast of
Twentynine Palms, slight damage at Amboy and Indio.

5 2 3 55 30 1957 72.000 -67.500 0 6.4 Baffin/Davis Strait, Canada
5 2 11 29 14 1957 52.700 -168.800 33 6.3 Fox Islands, Aleutians
5 2 11 38 55 1957 52.500 -169.000 0 6.1 Fox Islands, Aleutians
5 2 2 43 22 1962 54.500 -155.500 0 5.2 Alaska Peninsula
5 2 23 13 9 1963 63.100 -149.900 79 6.1 Central Alaska
5 2 6 8 27 1971 51.415 -177.208 38 6.0 Andreanoff Islands, Aleutians
5 2 6 14 43 1971 51.330 -177.110 44 5.2 Andreanoff Islands, Aleutians
5 2 9 8 59 1971 51.544 -177.211 47 5.3 Andreanoff Islands, Aleutians
5 2 9 12 19 1971 61.700 -156.600 100 5.8 Central Alaska
5 2 15 35 57 1982 60.126 -141.206 0 5.1 Central Alaska
5 2 17 0 27 1982 59.990 -141.204 8 5.0 Southeast Alaska
5 2 23 42 38 1983 36.219 -120.317 10 6.7 Central California
5 2 23 46 1 1983 36.063 -120.309 8 5.6 Central California
5 2 23 47 28 1983 36.230 -120.311 11 5.6 Central California
Forty-five people were injured, 13 of them seriously in the Coalinga
earthquake. In the Coalinga area, damage from the earthquake estimated at
31 million dollars with the worst damage occurring in the downtown area of
Coalinga. Maximum intensity VIII. More than 300 homes were severely damaged
in the Coalinga area. Also some damage occurred at Avenal and other
surrounding communities. The earthquake was felt from Los Angeles
to San Francisco to Reno and Sacramento.

5 2 18 59 6 1984 55.400 -135.300 18 5.1 Southeast Alaska
5 2 19 21 16 1987 52.800 -162.600 33 5.2 Unimak Islands, Aleutians
5 2 15 2 30 1991 53.410 -165.590 33 5.2 Fox Islands, Aleutians
5 2 23 59 18 2000 59.737 -139.396 1 5.8 Southeast Alaska
5 2 2 5 46 2001 49.910 -130.150 10 5.2 Vancouver Island area

EARTHQUAKE LISTINGS

ASIA

O: 1MAY2002 20:16:28 24.3N 122.0E ML=4.4 TAI Ilan, Taiwan

O: 1MAY2002 00:40:59 34.4N 80.1E ML=3.2 KHZ Xizang

O: 1MAY2002 14:00:46 5.8N 125.3E mb=4.9 GSR MINDANAO, PHILIPPINE ISLA

O: 30APR2002 23:01:01 0.7S 123.2E MS=4.1 GSR MINAHASSA PENINSULA, SULA

O: 1MAY2002 05:56:33 44.0N 139.8E MB=4.6 GSSC EASTERN SEA OF JAPAN

O: 29APR2002 23:09:48 17.6N 147.6E MB=4.8 NEI MARIANA ISLANDS REGION

O: 1MAY2002 21:17:28 22.5N 143.3E mb=4.7 GSR VOLCANO ISLANDS REGION

O: 1MAY2002 05:56:28 43.4N 140.0E MB=4.5 NEI EASTERN SEA OF JAPAN

O: 1MAY2002 00:03:26 45.1N 149.9E MB=4.3 NEI KURIL ISLANDS

O: 1MAY2002 06:06:41 35.2N 11.0E MB=3.8 NEI TUNISIA

O: 30APR2002 18:24:27 54.2N 169.8E MB=4.3 NEI KOMANDORSKIYE OSTROVA REGION

SOUTH PACIFIC ISLANDS

O: 1MAY2002 07:12:50 5.7S 148.0E MB=4.7 NEI NEW BRITAIN REGION, P.N.G

CARIBBEAN/CENTRAL/SOUTH AMERICA

O: 1MAY2002 00:10:04 19.3N 66.3W ML=3.3 PRSN North of Puerto Rico

O: 30APR2002 21:29:08 17.6N 101.9W ML=3.7 SSN COSTA DE GUERRERO, MEXICO

NEW ZEALAND/AUSTRALIA

O: 29APR2002 12:43:51 29.9S 177.5W MB=4.8 NEI KERMADEC ISL, NEW ZEALAND
O: 30APR2002 06:25:47 29.7S 177.7W MB=5.2 NEI KERMADEC ISL, NEW ZEALAND

O: 30APR2002 22:04:41 45.0S 167.2E ML=4.9 NEI SOUTH ISLAND, NEW ZEALAND

OCEANIA

O: 29APR2002 12:33:10 54.0N 35.2W MB=4.2 NEI REYKJANES RIDGE

O: 30APR2002 11:29:51 53.6S 7.4E MB=4.8 NEI BOUVET ISLAND REGION

EUROPE/MIDDLE EAST/AFRICA

O: 30APR2002 15:08:55 40.3N 33.8E ML=4.0 KAN ANKARA, TURKEY
O: 29APR2002 15:25:18 40.1N 33.3E ML=3.2 KAN ANKARA, TURKEY

O: 29APR2002 15:21:21 38.0N 38.1E ML=3.4 KAN ADIYAMAN, TURKEY

O: 1MAY2002 04:59:29 37.0N 3.5W Ml=3.0 IMP SPAIN

O: 30APR2002 19:46:13 39.1N 21.2E MB=4.0 NEI GREECE

O: 1MAY2002 20:37:21 36.8N 24.5E Ml=3.8 INGV SOUTHERN GREECE

U.S/CANADA

CALIFORNIA/NEVADA

O: 1MAY2002 00:38:37 33.4N 118.0W ML=1.7 SCSN SW of Laguna Beach, CA

O: 1MAY2002 10:37:31 34.3N 118.3W ML=1.6 SCSN NNE of Lake View Terrace, CA
O: 1MAY2002 16:05:12 34.4N 118.4W ML=1.7 SCSN E of Newhall, CA

O: 1MAY2002 16:02:27 35.7N 118.1W ML=3.0 SCSN ENE of town of Lake Isabella,
O: 1MAY2002 16:03:40 35.7N 118.1W ML=2.9 SCSN ENE of town of Lake Isabella,

O: 1MAY2002 06:30:25 36.4N 117.9W ML=2.5 SCSN NNE of Olancha, CA

O: 1MAY2002 09:55:49 37.8N 122.2W ML=1.9 NCSN NE of Alameda, CA
O: 1MAY2002 11:54:18 37.8N 122.2W ML=1.5 NCSN NE of Alameda, CA

O: 1MAY2002 02:01:49 37.7N 121.7W ML=2.1 NCSN NNE of Livermore, CA
O: 1MAY2002 10:58:22 37.6N 121.6W ML=1.5 NCSN ESE of Livermore, CA

O: 1MAY2002 02:14:15 36.1N 117.7W ML=1.7 NCSN E of Coso Junction, CA

O: 1MAY2002 03:03:19 34.1N 117.3W ML=1.6 SCSN WSW of San Bernardino, CA

PACIFIC NORTHWEST/CANADA

O: 1MAY2002 14:31:37 44.4N 129.3W MB=4.8 NEI OFF COAST OF OREGON

O: 1MAY2002 09:09:45 48.5N 119.6W ML=2.0 PGC S Penticton BC
O: 1MAY2002 02:09:45 48.5N 119.5W ML=2.9 PNSN N of Okanogan, WA

O: 29APR2002 19:35:35 51.0N 127.4W ML=0.7 PGC SOUTHERN COAST MOUNTAINS, B.C.
O: 30APR2002 04:17:08 50.2N 127.8W ML=1.9 PGC BROOKS PENINSULA, B.C.

O: 30APR2002 14:38:06 51.0N 127.8W ML=0.7 PGC QUEEN CHARLOTTE STRAIT, B.C.

O: 30APR2002 17:35:34 55.1N 133.9W ML=2.0 PGC NW Massett BC

ROCKY MOUNTAIN AREA

O: 1MAY2002 12:42:53 43.6N 110.5W MD=2.1 USBR ESE of Kelly, WY

O: 30APR2002 07:21:37 42.1N 111.7W ML=1.8 UUSN NE of Franklin, ID

EASTERN U.S./CANADA

O: 30APR2002 19:05:32 46.3N 75.8W MN=1.5 GSC SE FROM MANIWAKI, QUE.

O: 1MAY2002 01:42:16 50.0N 92.7W MN=2.4 GSC NE FROM DRYDEN, ONT.
O: 1MAY2002 01:46:32 50.0N 92.8W MN=2.2 GSC N FROM DRYDEN, ONT.

O: 1MAY2002 04:57:31 47.2N 66.4W MN=2.3 GSC W FROM MIRAMICHI CITY, N
O: 1MAY2002 08:17:24 47.0N 66.6W MN=2.6 GSC W FROM MIRAMICHI CITY, N

ALASKA

O: 1MAY2002 15:41:00 61.5N 149.5W ML=4.7 AEIC River, Alaska

HAWAII