8 is serious. 9 is Pacific subduction rupture.
7 is not really top news of the day.
People with friends and family exposed don't really appreciate being false-alarmed with 7s and 6s.
The HN audience decides what is too news of the day, that’s the whole principle this website is based upon
I'm sure everyone in the hospital and with collapsed houses would agree with your assessment that it's not a big deal.