Heres the scoop. I did a search and counted quakes with a magnitude 6 or greater:
1995 171 quakes
1996 164 quakes
1997 135 quakes
1998 125 quakes
1999 149 quakes by May 15th (is 56 at 5/16, so assuming a steady rate)
But the uptick during May 1999 is dramatic!
9 in January
11 in February
10 in March
12 in April
14 in May to 5/16 alone!
Offered by Nancy.