The earthquake measured 6.4 Mw  at a depth of 21 km (13 mi), and had a maximum Modified Mercalli intensity of VIII (Severe).

The shallow back-arc thrust faulting earthquake damaged the cities of Acayucan, Coatzacoalcos, Jáltipan and Minatitlán.

The subduction zone is seismically active and responsible for large earthquakes—a magnitude 8.1 earthquake in 1985 caused over 9,500 fatalities.

A similar earthquake in the same area in 1967 demonstrated thrust faulting mechanism at 26 km (16 mi) depth.

This suggests the earthquakes occurred inside the mantle, beneath the 20 km (12 mi)-thick transitional crust.

However, there is a region of shallow seismicity around Veracruz and Tabasco in the southwestern part of the gulf where earthquakes are of low magnitude.

[5] The combined effects of structural or foundation failure and soil liquefaction earned the earthquake a maximum Modified Mercalli intensity of VIII (Severe).

The tower of the San Francisco de Asís church was severely compromised and needed to be demolished.

[6] From Santa Marta, residents reported a large flame towering 60 m (200 ft) over the Sierra de los Tuxtlas range.

The Governor of Veracruz, Antonio Modesto Quirasco, along with members of his cabinet, arrived at Jáltipan on the night of August 26.