Patty Duke called him "the meanest son-of-a-bitch" she ever met.

It's a film that hasn't aged well, but yes, back in the day, this was a major hit and Mark Robson helmed it.

Earthquake was not a disaster IY in the sense that you are meaning and it was a huge box office smash. It might not be the best disaster film ever made; but it is a very competent one, even if it had some strange casting choices. Robson made a lot of money for Universal over this and it was acclaimed for it's special effects at that time, wining a special achievement Oscar. It wasn't designed to be Peyton Place and that film isn't a text book example of great film-making either. It is just a very good drama film. I recall seeing Earthquake when I was 8yrs old in sensurround and 70mm and it took me years to shake it off
if you would pardon the pun.
Exorcist: Christ's power compels you. Cast out, unclean spirit.
Destinata:

all alike except that Peyton Place was an Oscar nominated excellent film. Robson seemed in over his head (or was having other problems) for the later.

My guess is box office track record is what gets a director the job. And when you think about it, Valley of the Dolls, Peyton Place, Earthquake they're practically all alike!