I sure wonder if the data of mass loss is substantiated, the amount of shear stress associated with that mass loss, and the strength of the kilometers of rock strata are accurately compared – especially to quantify it for a peer review.  I’ll go one further, I wonder if the air mass of a cold, high pressure condition above the land along the fault was compared to the mass during a low pressure humid condition over the fault line area.  I would not be surprised if the air mass difference was equal or more than the water.  Just saying that there are a lot of variables in this issue to readily conclude water loss caused this earthquake.  And really, to say it “could have” does sound like a pitch for more research funds.  A dog team, running in unison, could have set up a resonant feedback that triggered an earthquake too.  More research $$$ for dog team analysis.