[3][4][1] The earthquake struck west of Lefkada island with initial magnitudes of between 6.3 and 6.7 however it was later settled to 6.5 according to the United States Geological Survey.

[6][7][8] Most damage was observed in western Lefkada as well ground cracks, slope movements and liquefaction found in the area.

A maximum intensity of VIII was assigned areas where to large-volume slope movements occurred, along the western Lefkas coast.

Intensity VIII were also assigned to the villages located in Dragano and Athani due to very heavy structural damage observed on masonry buildings, churches and other weak infrastructure mainly attributed to the combination of the recorded high PGA values, the poor anti-seismic design and construction of buildings and the geological and tectonic structure of the affected area.

Before the earthquake occurred a cliff in the beach has been known to have been in a state of decline due to the climatic forcing resulting from previous minor seismicity and erosion.