It had an estimated moment magnitude of 5.8–6.6 and evaluated Modified Mercalli intensity of VIII (Severe).

[1] The earthquake caused substantial property damage in the states of Missouri, Illinois, Ohio, Alabama, Iowa, Kentucky, Indiana, and Tennessee.

[2] It has been widely accepted that the city of Charleston is the approximate location of the earthquake based on reports of soil liquefaction and strong shaking.

One newspaper account stated that the ground "continued to vibrate for fully twenty minutes".

This aftershock is thought to have been felt in Memphis, Tennessee; Hickman, Kentucky; and Hammond, Indiana.

Building damage and liquefaction was observed along a linear path from Bertrand (MO) to Cairo (IL).

Charleston experienced extensive damage; collapsed chimneys, broken windows and plasters occurred on schools, homes, churches and commercial buildings across the town.

[4] It caused two deaths; one in Bardwell, Kentucky, where a man passed from a "fright", and another in Avery, Iowa, where a worker was killed by falling slate at a mine.

An explosion due to a ruptured gas pipe at Cincinnati, Ohio injuring seven people.