A review of the recent events that were magnitude 6 or greater  
revealed they were all thrust faults orientated on or near a north/ 
south line.  Thrust faults are associated with compressive forces.

The earthquake activity appears to be centered west of the southern  
end of the East Philippine Subduction zone, near the Sangihe Arc, also  
referred to as the Sangihe Subduction Zone and the Sangihe Volcanic  
Arc.  It is located east of the Halmahera Arc (subduction zone) and  
the area is referred to as a double subduction zone.  Following are  
some links to articles on the area.

http://whatonearth.olehnielsen.dk/molucca.asp

http://www.geology.um.maine.edu/geodynamics/AnalogWebsite/UndergradProjects2006/Jennifer%20Bromley/web%20pages/Molucca_sea.html

http://www.geology.um.maine.edu/geodynamics/AnalogWebsite/UndergradProjects2006/Jennifer%20Bromley/web%20pages/index.html

Bob Hancock

On Feb 12, 2009, at 9:03 AM, Thomas Dick wrote:

A review of the recent =
events that were magnitude 6 or greater revealed they were all thrust =
faults orientated on or near a north/south line.  Thrust faults are =
associated with compressive forces.

The =
earthquake activity appears to be centered west of the southern end of =
the East Philippine Subduction zone, near the Sangihe Arc, also referred =
to as the Sangihe Subduction Zone and the Sangihe Volcanic Arc.  It =
is located east of the Halmahera Arc (subduction zone) and the area is =
referred to as a double subduction zone.  Following are some links =
to articles on the area.

http://whatonearth.=
olehnielsen.dk/molucca.asp

http://www.=
geology.um.maine.edu/geodynamics/AnalogWebsite/UndergradProjects2006/Jenni=
fer%20Bromley/web%20pages/Molucca_sea.html

http://www.geolog=
y.um.maine.edu/geodynamics/AnalogWebsite/UndergradProjects2006/Jennifer%20=
Bromley/web%20pages/index.html

Bo=
b Hancock

On Feb 12, 2009, at 9:03 AM, Thomas =
Dick wrote:

=
=