A powerful earthquake of magnitude 7.4 struck off the southern coasts of Chile and Argentina on Friday, prompting Chilean authorities to issue a tsunami evacuation alert for coastal areas in the far south of the country.
The quake hit the Drake Passage between Cape Horn and Antarctica at a depth of just 10 km (6 miles), according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS).
The European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre reported the tremor at magnitude 7.5, with its epicentre about 200 kilometres south of Ushuaia in southern Argentina.
🔔#Earthquake (#sismo) M7.4 occurred 226 km S of #Ushuaia (#Argentina) 30 min ago (local time 08:58:27). More info at:
— EMSC (@LastQuake) May 2, 2025
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🌐https://t.co/PpiLTuZZEj
🖥https://t.co/CFUq359k9B pic.twitter.com/0jRBtPZ8j4
Chilean officials ordered the evacuation of “the entire coastal section of the Strait of Magellan” and the beach area of the Antarctic Territory in the Magallanes Region, citing tsunami risks, the Chilean National Service for Disaster Prevention and Response said.
Argentine authorities did not immediately issue a similar warning for their coastal regions.
No damage or casualties have been initially reported from either country, according to local authorities.
The earthquake was felt across southern regions of both Chile and Argentina, with residents in Ushuaia and other southern communities reporting strong shaking.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation as emergency protocols remain in effect for Chile’s southern coastal areas.
#ÚLTIMAHORA 🚨🇨🇱I Terremoto de 7,5 azota la zona sur de #Chile y Argentina: Senapred pide evacuar el sector del borde costero por amenaza de #Tsunami.
— Josue Aguilar (@josuealeexis) May 2, 2025
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