Its epicenter was located near Mamiña, in northern Chile about 125 km east-northeast of Iquique, affecting the Tarapacá Region and adjacent parts of Bolivia.

The focal mechanism shows that this was a normal fault event, within the subducted Nazca Plate.

Finite-fault modelling of the earthquake suggests that the fault plane responsible dips to the west at about 15°.

[1] The greatest damage occurred in northern Chile, although parts of southern Peru and western Bolivia were also affected.

The earthquake triggered many landslides, blocking roads and hindering relief efforts.