That's because Whitebeard is actually an earthquake magician rather than an actual walking earthquake. The intensity of his quakes isn't determined by science but by intention. So yes, he can launch an attack where its most intense point is further from himself but he can also do the opposite.
And I already said in my opposite is true with the bubble thingy. But it's AP and DC is nowhere people wank it to like island level AP/DC.
Blackbeard face tanked that shit and was fine.