A section of the Peruvian coast, stretching from Caravelí to Trujillo, north to south, was severely damaged by the earthquake.

[3] The presence of active subduction can produce large earthquakes when elastic energy along the plate boundary (megathrust) is released suddenly after decades or centuries of accumulated strain.

Most residents were able to evacuate in time during the earthquake, such that the death toll was small, although there were many individuals that suffered injuries.

Significant rockslides occurred at Cerro San Cristobal (es) in the Rímac District of Lima Province.

The earthquake also severely damaged the residence of Fernando Torres de Portugal y Mesía, the then viceroy of Peru.

[2] The associated tsunami was documented by the viceroy of Peru in which he said the waves picked up and smashed homes, and inundated up to 250 meters inland.