The earthquake was centered near the coastal cities of Huacho and Huaura, about 150 km (93 mi) north of the Peruvian capital, Lima.

The interface where both plates make contact occasionally produce moderate to great earthquakes.

[6] At Bellavista, there were 11 deaths, ten of them were children when the school they were in collapsed, and in San Miguel, two people died.

[7] The destruction in Lima, Callao, Chorrillos, Barranco, Chancay and Lurín were also worsened by their poor condition and age.

In Chancay, damage was comparable to Lima; two churches toppled and some dilapidated quincha buildings suffered from collapsed walls.