This earthquake was one of the most destructive in the epicentral area compared to other events of subduction of the same size.

The extensive damage to structures was the result of an amplification effect on the ground and the poor quality of building materials, this reflects the potential for damage incurred in an intraplate earthquake with vertical fault and how it can be much greater than what which can cause one of interplate of similar magnitude, and caused severe damage in Chilean cities of La Serena, Vicuña, Ovalle, Illapel and Punitaqui.

This event took place under the area of Chile, between 27° and 33° S, where the slab is nearly horizontal and there is a high degree of mechanical coupling between the plates.

Both Santiago and Valparaíso regions lost telephone service and radio transmission.

The quake left 8 people dead, 160 injured and 10,913 homeless, concentrating most of those in the provinces of Elqui and Limarí.