Well, that is easy enough to check. But, the sun was very quiet for a couple of years before about a year ago, and the article says same thing was observed that occured before Chile M8.8, and maybe two others.

Then there are those who might say the magnetic storm could have caused the quake, but that would not include me at this time (maybe a decade ago I would have wondered).

Actually, to get 8% increase in electrons probably does not take something as strong as a storm (guessing), and this explanation certainly does not explain the the electrons were enhanced over the epicenter and the anomaly falls off to each side.

Chris