IAmA Request: USGS or some other Earthquake Expert

Since the recent Earthquakes hit Christchurch and Japan, I'd like someone from the USGS or any other Earthquake experts to chime in on these events. Would like to see credentials.

One of my main questions is: Since all of these quakes happened on the Pacific tectonic plate, and the Bay area has seen a surge in the number of smaller quakes, could the Bay Area see the Big One happening anytime soon? Maybe even Alaska or Oregon even as well?

Edit: Really? The first vote was a downvote?