There was a 6.8 just north of the Equator at the south end of the March 2005 M8.7. This is significant because accepted seismo theory would say this area was weakened, and the part of the subduction zone to the south has not failed in a century and a half.
The link is to the focal mechanism. the 2 given don't agree at all....usually for a quake this large they agree more or less. John...or someone else....what does this mean? Complex rupture?

Also...this was a few hours after the Kermadec 7.4. I swear it is common for M6+ quakes to occur in pairs like this...but Roger (and I) looked at this and in a graph there did not appear to be any such pattern. I understand the self delusion/pattern recognition problem....but maybe we will have to revisit this later.....

We just figured out how to distribute $40 k for travel to a workshop...comparing San Andreas fault to North Anatolia fault...first time I ever got involved in organizing a workshop (lead by Wife in Suburbia, and someone else, and someone in Turkey). Our efforts may one day help save lives in Turkey, but man is it a time sink and there is no salary involved.
Chris

• Nias focal mechnism