Key Points
- A powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck the Drake Passage near the southern coasts of Chile and Argentina on Friday morning, May 2, 2025.
- The quake’s epicenter was 219 km south of Ushuaia, Argentina, at a shallow depth of 10 km, triggering a tsunami warning for both countries’ southernmost coastal regions.
- Chilean authorities ordered immediate evacuation of the Magallanes region’s coastline and Antarctic bases; Argentina suspended all water activities in Tierra del Fuego.
- No casualties or significant damage have been reported so far, but authorities urge residents to stay alert and follow evacuation protocols.
- The region, part of the seismically active “Ring of Fire,” remains on high alert as aftershocks continue.
Santiago: A massive 7.4 magnitude earthquake rattled the southern coasts of Chile and Argentina on Friday morning, sending shockwaves through the Drake Passage-a remote maritime corridor between Cape Horn and Antarctica. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported the quake struck at 9:58 a.m. local time at a shallow depth of just 10 kilometers, with the epicenter located 219 kilometers south of Ushuaia, Argentina, the world’s southernmost city.
Immediate Tsunami Warning and Mass Evacuations
Within minutes, tsunami warnings were issued for coastal areas within 300 kilometers of the epicenter, including Chile’s Magallanes region and Argentina’s Tierra del Fuego. Chile’s National Disaster Prevention and Response Service (SENAPRED) ordered the evacuation of the entire Magallanes coastline and Antarctic bases, activating emergency sirens and mobilizing state resources. President Gabriel Boric took to social media, urging residents, “We are calling for the evacuation of the coastline throughout the Magallanes region. Right now, our duty is to be prepared and heed the authorities”.
Videos circulating online showed residents in Punta Arenas and Puerto Williams calmly evacuating to higher ground as sirens blared in the background. Local media advised people to seek shelter at least 30 meters above sea level. In Argentina, all water activities and navigation in the Beagle Channel were suspended, and authorities in Puerto Almanza ordered evacuations as a precaution.
No Immediate Reports of Damage or Casualties
Despite the quake’s strength and the region’s vulnerability, there have been no immediate reports of injuries or significant structural damage in either country. Ushuaia, which felt the tremors most strongly, reported no need for evacuation or material losses, though officials urged continued vigilance as aftershocks were recorded.
Why This Area Is So Seismically Active
The Drake Passage sits on the notorious “Ring of Fire,” where the Nazca, South American, and Antarctic tectonic plates meet, making it one of the world’s most earthquake-prone regions. Chile, in particular, is accustomed to frequent and sometimes devastating seismic events, and both national and local authorities have well-drilled emergency protocols.
What Happens Next?
Chilean navy experts estimate tsunami waves could reach Antarctica and southern Chilean cities within hours, with wave heights projected between one and three meters. Residents are being told to remain in safe zones until official all-clear signals are given. Emergency services remain on high alert, and authorities continue to monitor for aftershocks and potential secondary hazards.
A powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake has put southern Chile and Argentina on high alert, triggering tsunami warnings and mass evacuations but, so far, no casualties. Authorities credit calm, orderly evacuations and robust emergency planning for minimizing risk in this seismically sensitive region. Residents are urged to stay alert as the situation develops.
