The event was named after the city of Torrevieja because it was the largest locality to be affected.

In the southern province of Alicante, the period between 1820 and 1830 was the most seismically active, affecting the Bajo Segura seismotectonic line which has three major faults: the Benejúzar-Benijófar, Guardamar del Segura and Torrevieja faults.

In general, the Alicante coast sank about 10 m (33 ft) across the Torrevieja fault.

At 18:10 on 21 March 1829 an earthquake occurred, measuring 6.6 Mw  and assigned a maximum intensity of IX (Violent).

Destruction of bridges over the Segura river in Almoradi, Benejúzar, Dolores and Guardamar was reported.