This mountain range is situated in the Walker Lane region, which is part of the boundary between the Pacific plate and the North American plate, similar to the San Andreas Fault in to the west in California.

Mines and ore-treating plants were damaged and two cabins, one of stone and one of adobe, were destroyed.

Shocks were felt in the Nevada towns of Tonopah, Mina, Luning and Fallon, as well as others.

Boulders were dislodged from hillsides and cliffs in the area, large landslides were reported and groundwater changes were observed in local springs and wells.

There was one foreshock, and the 7.2 mainshock was followed by many aftershocks; the main shock was felt from the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific and from Southern Oregon to San Diego, California.