This will be my last posting - at least on this topic. I will fade back into the background with the other "readers". But I won't leave without expressing one final and strong opinion - for what its worth.

I think this whole business of Petra giving a prediction without disclosing the precise location is a little cheesy. If I am not mistaken, she's posted before about the need for predictive models so that people in the effected area can make a decision as to how to respond. So, now she has a prediction based on a method she believes in and in spite of her previous positions will not divulge the location of the devasting quake she's predicting.

As for the prediction itself, the only credibilty it has is that Don and Roger have been entrusted with the specic details. From what I've read, I believe them to be men of integrity who won't hesitate to tell the absolute truth. I also respect Don for sticking by his friend's wishes. Therefore, if it is accurate, we'll all know it through them and its merits can be discussed.

If it's a bogus prediction for Petra's own amusement, then ok. My family's been as ready as we can be for a big quake and a prediction won't change that. However, if there really is something to the methodology and if Petra really believes in it as much as she says she does, then she's wrong not to share the details.

But hey, not my method, not my prediction, just my opinion. But I promise if ever did develop a model that I believed in, I would let you know if I thought it pointed to such a large quake under your house.

Good luck Petra. I hope you're dead wrong. Either way, I won't pick on you anymore.

Russell - somewhere near the Newport-Inglewood fault