Offtopic (earthquakes, not taxonomy)

[Ken Kinman]

Dear All,
      I was surprised to learn that there had been another major earthquake (8.1) between Australia and Antarctica just a few days before the 9.0 quake.  And that there had been yet another substantial quake in Indonesia last month (Nov. 11th).  Since all three were along the edges of the Australian-Indian plate, could these be connected in terms of the two earlier quakes setting up stresses that finally triggered the 9.0 earthquake off Sumatra?
      ----- Ken