The link is to Nature and a news item about quakes being not characteristic. Instead of a quake releasing all the differential stress, it instead makes it more likely that there will be another quake in the same area. This is based on work that has been done in part by Southern California earthquake center-affiliated scientists over the last 15 years since Landers quake.

Unfortunately, you have to log in or pay for this article. I only link in case anyone has access to library with on-line subscription (I do, but I'm not going to post the article.

I just read it and it is a nice summary.

They will be redoing the probabilities on California faults by 2011.

Insurance rates are likely affected.

Headed to Long Beach California tomorrow, then UCSB, then Menlo to talk to USGS Oct 30, then my daughter in Santa Cruz, then home.

Chris

• Nature news: quake behavior