Seismologists refute the apocalyptic interpretation of the recent spate of earthquakes.
In addition, the availability of seismic technology means that even deep-under-the-ocean-floor earthquakes are registered and widely reported for the first time ever, as are earthquakes occurring in remote, unpopulated regions of the earth.
Without the terchnology, we'd have no notion of such earthquakes - except for tsunamis caused by these oceanic earthquakes. Besides, there are factors besides magnitude that account for an earthquakes "great" destruction potential. For example, a small but "shallow" earthquake (i.e., occurring to a depth no greater than 40 kilometres) can cause more havoc on ground than a much stronger earthquake that occurs at greater depth.
Crazies have always been able to read the apocalypse in anything destructive proving how prone humans are to superstition.