Nice writeup. I notice the same thing. I believe as bitcoin surges each time a small selloff of profit taking happens. Then because of bitcoins surge the altcoin market seems undervalued so people take their profits and insert them into their favorite altcoin. This brings the Altcoin market back to it's relative price in relation to bitcoin price. Then people take profits on altcoins and re-insert into bitcoin starting a fresh new cycle. Expect each year to have a minimum of 4 cycles. Holidays caused this drop in prices which is usual and as tax season comes expect a lot of money injected into the market which will start the first major cycle of 2018.
Just my Opinion!