The earthquake measured 6.8 on the surface-wave magnitude scale at a depth of 16 km (9.9 mi).[7] On the W-phase moment magnitude scale (Mww ), the earthquake measured 6.6; it was also measured at moment magnitude 6.7 (Mw ).[8] According to the United States Geological Survey, the earthquake was a result of shallow strike-slip faulting on the western margin of the Sichuan Basin. The earthquake occurred on either a SSE–NNW striking, steep WSW dipping left-lateral fault, or a WSW–ENE striking, near vertical dipping right-lateral fault.[9] The location and sense of motion are consistent with movement on or near the left-lateral Xianshuihe fault system.