The earthquake occurred at 18:14:36 local time with a moment magnitude of 5.6 and a maximum Mercalli intensity of VIII (Severe).

[5] The Cyrenaica region is characterised by relatively low magnitude earthquakes with thrust fault focal mechanisms,[6] developed in an area of NE–SW directed maximum horizontal stress.

[8] The main area of damage was restricted to a 20 km long section of the alluvial plain around Marj, which is located between two escarpments, possibly fault-related.

The maximum damage was observed at Maddalena, a village about 12 km from Marj and close to the epicenter, in which all the farmhouses collapsed.

[8] The Libyan authorities followed the recommendations of the UNESCO report[8] and rebuilt Marj on firmer ground about 4 km away from its original location.