I have that shaky feeling . . . . This coming weekend will see an increased earthquake risk. From June 21st through 23rd, possibly into the 24th, there will be a lunar perigee as well as the summer solstice and a full moon. I have recently gotten into predicting earthquake risks, and have found that the probability of a seismic event grows exponentially during periods where the Earth's crust is under increased stress. These periods include lunar and solar eclipses, perihelion and perigee events, and full and new moons. This upcoming weekend is particularly at risk from a seismic situation because we have a full moon about 1 hour apart from the lunar perigee. The separation is normally about 8 days, per a telecon I had this past weekend with Jim Berkland who is a former Santa Clara geologist and publishes "SYZYGY." It is from him that I have caught the earthquake bug and it is from him that I learned about the land and ocean tidal forces that can increase the seismic risk, especially in seismically unstable areas such as along the Pacific Ring of Fire. He is known for predicting the 1989 World Series earthquake using his geologic and observational skills.

Here is how this affects you. I am thinking that with the increased earthquake risk this upcoming weekend, Field Day will be particularly important. After the Northridge earthquake, the power was out for about a day or so. So if I can convince you of the increased seismic risk, so that we are all personally prepared with extra water and non-perishable food, fresh and charged batteries, working radios and antennas, we will be in a much better situation should this come to pass. I am also thinking that Amateur Radio operators need to be alerted to this risk due to the emergency communications that may need to be provided to the public if something does happen. I am contacting as many Amateur Radio operators as I know as well as past and present SBARC members to warn them. It would be great if you would too.

P.S. I have predicted two earthquakes so far within about a half hour of when they each occurred. I used a tidal chart for the Santa Barbara area, saw tides that were higher or lower than normal and guessed that there would be aftershocks to the 05/29/13 earthquake about the same time as those tides. I guessed right!

Of course, you could sit by and do nothing about my findings and predictions and, true, perhaps nothing will happen. On the other hand, what do you have to lose should this all come to pass? Perhaps plenty! The Boy Scouts have it right -- Be Prepared.