The Tien Shan mountains in Central Asia formed as a result of thrusting and folding of the continental crust during the Late Cenozoic era.

Around this time, the Indian subcontinent is colliding with Asia along a 2,500 km long convergent boundary known as the Main Himalayan Thrust.

The ongoing collision of India into the Eurasian plate has resulted in extreme internal deformation of the continental crust.

[5] The fault is part of the Huoerguosi-Manas-Tugulu fold and thrust belt, and breaches the surface with three segments, laterally offset by 5 to 10 km.

[2] The same research also proposed that the earthquake rupture initiated on the steep reverse fault and later onto the detachment.

[9] In addition to the surface scarps, zones of uplift and folding were also observed 45 km away from the epicenter.

[2] In the villages of Shizijie, Bajiahu, Niujuanzi, Zhuanglangmiao, Xidatang, Shichang, in Boluotonggu, and the mountain areas around Dazimiao and Reshuiquanzi, many wood and mud houses collapsed while those that remained intact were tilted.