Abstract
The role of precipitation as a modulator of processes that influence the numbers of reports of anomalous luminous phenomena was investigated within the San Francisco Basin for the years 1950 through 1969. More than 50% of the variance in the numbers of these reports was accommodated by the amount of rainfall during the months of January. The relationship was strongest for events within 100 km of the city. Years in which January rainfall exceeded 8.5 in. and the numbers of earthquakes within the basin increased were associated with the largest numbers of general reports within 400 km from the city, particularly if the previous year had been drier and displayed Jess seismic activity. Application of the equation to years 1970 through 1995 predicted that above average (z score >1.5) numbers of luminous displays should have occurred during the years 1973, 1993, and 1995. The results support the corollary of the tectonic strain theory that fluid injection or hydrological loads, natural or man-made, can affect the processes of tectonic strain which facilitate the creation of unusual luminous phenomena.
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