Dear All,
The magnitude of this event is extreme, the results obviously catastrophic - partic. considering the fifty aftershocks that occurred in swift succession.
The Pacific Rim moves on a regular basis, but not quite to this frequency... after the NZ event - and others less significant elsewhere - something is happening 'down the line', and, after quite a 'subdued period' line pressure/stress is bound to release at some time - and it has with a vengeance.
Once things move to this extent, other areas could very well remove stress in sympathy... give it apx. six months and there will be another very significant event somewhere - within 500 to 1000 miles - once stress relieved in one place, it automatically/theoretically places same onto another.
I hope I am wrong.
Regards, Bernard