It caused widespread damage in the Basilicata and Apulia regions of what was then the Kingdom of Naples, resulting in more than 6,000 casualties.

[1] The central and southern part of the Apennines has been characterised by extensional tectonics since the Pliocene epoch (i.e. about the last 5 million years), with most of the active faults being normal in type and NW-SE trending.

Sant'Angelo dei Lombardi, Bella and Muro Lucano[4] In Melfi, fifty buildings collapsed and the castle, cathedral, five monasteries and many churches were severely damaged.

[6] The following number of casualties were reported, 700 at Calitri, 700 at Sant'Angelo dei Lombardi, 600 at Muro Lucano, 400 at Ruvo del Monte, 300 at Teora, 280 at Guardia Lombardi, 250 at Bella, 230 at Pescopagano, 190 at Cairano, 160 at Atella, 120 at Sant'Andrea di Conza and 100 at Tito.

The mainshock was followed immediately by an aftershock, the first of a series that lasted until June of the following year.