[1][3] Thought to be one of the most destructive in the Kashmir Valley, the earthquake caused serious widespread damage and ground effects, killing an estimated 600–60,000 individuals.

The slightly oblique convergence occurs at a rate of 17 ± 2 mm/yr along the Main Himalayan Thrust while the nearby Karakoram fault system accommodates right-lateral strike-slip movement at 5 ± 2 mm/yr.

[5] The high convergence rate means many of the plate boundary faults are accommodating strain while locked, frequently releasing them in moderate-sized earthquakes, and sometimes in very large events.

The earthquake is thought to have been associated with a rupture on an active thrust fault that forms part of the plate boundary of the Kashmir Himalayas.

Until recently, the source fault and possible surface ruptures of the earthquake have yet to be identified due to the lack of information of the event, in addition to the paleoseismicity of the region is poorly studied.

Large colluvial wedges associated with the rupture suggest the event caused high intensity shaking at the surface.

[6] An earlier trenching survey conducted at the Chandigarh Fault near the Main Frontal Thrust also found a surface rupture that likely formed in 1426 to 1700 AD.

The historical accounts described a series of earthquakes, the strongest occurring at midnight in the month Asvina of the year 30 in the Hindu calendar.

In the communities of Jalu and Damper, the force of the earthquake sheared off the foundations of homes and roots of trees, and displaced them onto the opposite bank of the Jhelum River.

Tilted tree stumps at the bank of the Jhelum River at the locations described suggest slumping due to ground failure along the riverbank.