Running a 13 hours computer job, so while it runs....

There was a M3.1 last night in New Brunswick almost on the Maine Border, at the coast. Someone may want to look into whether this was triggered by ocean tides. This is at the coast of the Bay of Fundy. At least farther up the Bay are the largest tides in the world (I think). Also, we are just past the full moon, and yesterday I was kayaking on the Hudson estuary (just a work break...) and the tide was unusually high. Plus, if the wind from the windstorm we are having now started there that soon, the tide would get even higher. So, a load of 15 m of water would be, let's see....1 1/2 bars (someone check me-is 1 atmosphere=1 bar?). An increased vertical load would make thrust faults stronger, not weaker. But, at the coast there might be a gradient. Theyt don't give the focal mechanism.

Another thing of interest is the first magnetic storm in quite some time-it has been extremely quiet. The Kp was "6" a few hours before, then reached "7" after. The sun itself remains very quiet )no flares, low X-rays...). On the other hand, the southern Quebec M4.2 3 days earlier was in the middle of the very quiet conditions.

Maybe when we get done looking at the FFA data from Roger someone will look at some of this solar stuff scientifically....Chris

• NEIC USGS maps