The Greater Caucasus consists of a southward-directed fold and thrust belt that has been active since the Oligocene.

[6] The earthquake affected 700 villages and settlements, destroying 46,000 houses and making 100,000 people homeless.

A large mass of Jurassic volcanic rock fell onto water-saturated alluvium, combining to form the debris avalanche.

The debris avalanche, which had an estimated volume of over 3 million m3, swept down a valley through Khokheti, blocking the Gebura River, forming a 100-m-high dam, that breached soon afterwards, causing more destruction.

Two of the earth slides showed a delayed movement, with most displacement occurring a few days after the main shock.

The Chordi landslide was active before the earthquake and showed only minor movement at the time of the main shock.

It was also due to reverse faulting on a north-northeast-dipping plane, although with a significant dextral (right lateral) strike-slip component.