It had an estimated magnitude of 7.0 Mw and a maximum felt intensity of X (Extreme) on the Modified Mercalli scale.

Blida is located at the southern margin of the Mitidja Basin, which is filled with Neogene aged sedimentary rocks.

[3] The rupture of a fault within an offshore continuation of this zone, further to the northeast, is thought to have been responsible for the 2003 Boumerdès earthquake.

There were reports of widespread ground fissuring and both wells and springs were said to have dried up in the hours before the earthquake.

The high death toll is explained by the timing of the earthquake during prayers, leaving many people crushed by collapsed mosques.