The earthquake's shallow focus, close proximity to the port city of Agadir, and unsatisfactory construction methods were all reasons declared by earthquake engineers and seismologists as to why it was so destructive.
Professor Katsuhiko Ishibashi, one of the seismologists who have taken an active interest in the topic, coined the term genpatsu-shinsai (原発震災), from the Japanese words for "nuclear power" and "quake disaster" to express the potential worst-case catastrophe that could ensue.
The concern of seismologists Douglas Wiens and Michael E. Wysession of Washington University in St. Louis, is that the New Madrid Fault may be becoming less active, while activity on the Wabash Fault could be increasing.