7.5-magnitude earthquake strikes Drake Passage between South America, Antarctica; tsunami alert issued for Chile

A magnitude 7.5 earthquake struck the Drake Passage on Friday morning, reported Reuters citing the United States Geological Survey (USGS) said. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC) has confirmed to the news agency that tsunami waves are possible within the next three hours along parts of Chile’s coast.

The tremor was initially reported as a magnitude 8 before being revised downward. At first, the US Tsunami Warning System told Reuters there was no tsunami alert for nearby coastlines.

The Drake Passage, a remote stretch of ocean between southern Chile and Antarctica, lies near complex tectonic boundaries where seismic activity is common.


As of now, there have been no reports of casualties or structural damage. Authorities and monitoring agencies continue to watch the situation closely.

(More updates to follow)