The western margin of the Sierra Madre Occidental plateau is formed by a series of west-dipping normal faults, over a distance of at least 300 kilometers (190 mi).

Moderate to severe damage occurred in northeastern Sonora, northwestern Chihuahua, southwestern New Mexico, southeastern Arizona and the westernmost part of Texas.

[1] Eyewitness reports from Cochise County, Arizona claim that shaking caused the ground to open up, with liquefaction spreading across the plains.

[11] The earthquake destroyed most of the adobe houses in Bavispe and killed 42 of the town's 700 residents;[7][12] Dr. George E. Goodfellow in Tombstone, Arizona Territory, loaded his wagon with medical supplies and rode 140 kilometers (87 mi) to aid survivors.

[14] Goodfellow returned twice, the second time in July with Tombstone photographer Camillus Sidney Fly to study and record the effects of the earthquake.

He covered over 700 miles (1,100 km) on horseback but mostly on foot through the Sierra Madre Oriental mountains recording his observations.