Hi EQF. The following was gleaned from Lowell and NOAA.

The storm were seeing now is a proton storm. It has a greater affect on the atmosphere then it does on the surface of the earth. It can also have a damaging affect on communication satellites. Its biggest impact is to the ozone layer where it has a detrimental affect by causing a decrease in the density. In 1982 there was a temporary 70% decrease in the density of the ozone layer. Whenever there is a decrease in the ozone layer either by density, or the amount this will allow more ultra violet rays to impact the earth which in turn causes a higher risk of cancer. There was a report a number of years ago about sheep in Australia going blind because of the hole in the ozone layer. Have never seen anymore about this, so don’t really have any solid facts in regards to that report.

The proton storm tends to reduce the number of electrons in the ionosphere and thus reduces the electric currents, which can induce earthquakes.

Although a proton storm often occurs in conjunction with large solar flares and geomagnetic storms, the net effect of such storms is to reduce the effects of these storms while it is occurring. Seismicity tends to increase dramatically at the end of the storm however.

Seismicity associated with geomagnetic storms is either near the beginning of the storm or, if associated with geothermal areas, 4-7 or 8 days later after the areas have had a chance to warm up and expand. This is caused by electrical energy from the storm being
converted to heat energy in this area. Since the material is right at melting point, a very
small change in temperature (0.1 or less degrees C) can have a dramatic effect. This has been seen in the Mammoth Lakes area, the Coso Volcanic Fields and the Salton Sea area. There is almost always an increase in quake activity in the geothermal fields in the North Bay Area.

The “M” class and most certainly the “X” class geomagnetic storms are always good for an increase in the number of quakes and in some cases the magnitude of the quake and, or both at the same time.

Speaking of an increase in quake activity I think we may be in for some here in the Hollister area. There has be an increase in creep in the San Juan Bautista data and the last 4 quakes in an around the Hollister and Parkfield area were preceded by an increase in creep. I hope Petra is enjoying this as she has been telling me her ear tones are indicating something for this area. Take Care…Don in creepy town