It has two main segments and an estimated overall slip rate of about 7 mm per year.

A recurrence interval of about 800 years has been estimated, suggesting that a major earthquake along this structure is unlikely in the next few centuries,[2] although a recurrence interval of 250–300 years has also been proposed, indicating that there is potential for a major earthquake in the relatively near future.

The mainshock was felt over a large area, including at Divrigi over 700 km away.

[3] All buildings within the city of Tabriz were reported destroyed and similar levels of damage affected many villages in the neighbouring area.

The degree of destruction may in part relate to the weakening effects of the 1721 earthquake, which also caused severe damage to the city.