M5.5 quake shakes New Zealand's South Island

Some say there is a connection between quakes in Japan and quakes in New Zealand, and others say that such a thing is impossible. Another coincidence, then?

If with a global perspective, the entire Earth is "connected" and tectonic plate movements as well as the volcanoes that originate from those movements are connected. With such massive data from all those sensors on the ground and in space, over many decades, one would think that there would be a way to determine the movements and trending to somehow "predict" upcoming disasters. Sadly while we think in terms of months and years, our earth's movements and reactions are just as unpredictable as the weather at this time. There is still so much we do not know or have enough data to even determine exactly how and when a major shift in plates may occur and exactly under what stress conditions such movements in which locations separately or in combinations will impact a volcano or cause a tsunami or massive fissures and uplift mountains.

We still do not know exactly how the Moon and other planets in out solar system are affecting our planet's surface and its interior to affect the movements of the tectonic plates. It is Astrology at best.

For all we know, simply moving rock and soil from one mountain to another part by man or even by the rivers, or to fill or not to fill the space once occupied by the fossil fuels as oil and coal, and not forgetting to mention the constant volcanic eruptions all over the world may be affecting the delicate balance which may exist in the movement of the plates.

Hopefully, one day, all the scientists from all areas of study are able to share their findings and data to be able to give us a better picture and perspective of the earth we live on and predict any disasters that may come our way.