[4] The presence of active subduction produces large earthquakes when elastic energy along the plate boundary (megathrust) is released suddenly after decades or centuries of accumulated strain.

Shallow inland crustal earthquakes within the overriding South American plate are caused by internal deformation of the crust within the Andes Mountains; formed by the ongoing convergence.

With its hypocenter located roughly 115 km (71 mi) below the surface within the subducted lithosphere of the Nazca plate, the quake extended itself below the Andes and was felt in a large area, including the Peruvian coastal regions and as far away as Bogotá, Colombia, as well as most of Ecuador and western Brazil.

[7] In Lamas, 3,000 people were left homeless after the earthquake destroyed 102 houses and severely damaged 498 more,[8] with the town recording five deaths and 60 injuries.

Even with diffcult weather conditions in the area, the Red Cross provided the National Institute of Civil Defence with 1,000 blankets, 50 tents and 200 packs containing clothes.