[6] The Atlas Mountains area faces aseismic deformation (change in shape not originating from movement of faults), with only marginal plate shifting each year.

[8] During the 1954 earthquake, five underwater telephone cables in the Mediterranean Sea[9] were cut by an avalanche, three recording the exact time of impact.

[8] Shaking extended west to Mostaganem, south to Tiaret, and east to Tizi Ouzou, and many aftershocks followed the earthquake, including a major tremor at 22:18 UTC on 16 September which further damaged Orleansville.

[9] The main shock ruptured 16 km (9.9 mi) of rock, ripping faults and creating visible fissures in the ground along the Dahra Massif.

Bell 47G helicopters, three Amiot AAC.1 Toucan and two Douglas DC-3 evacuated 396 victims, including 147 on the first day, avoiding any traffic jams on site.