Home of 80-foot killer waves: All about Drake Passage, the dangerous ocean stretch that even advanced ships don’t dare to pass

A powerful earthquake measuring 7.4 on the Richter scale struck the Drake Passage early Friday, according to India’s National Center for Seismology (NCS). The quake, recorded at 07:46 AM IST at a depth of 36 km, was centered at latitude 60.26° S and longitude 61.85° W. Following the tremor, Chile issued tsunami warnings for some of its Antarctic bases, the New York Times reported.

But beyond earthquakes, the Drake Passage has long been dreaded by sailors and scientists alike.

What is the Drake Passage?

The Drake Passage is a deep, stormy waterway about 965 km (600 miles) wide, connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans between Cape Horn—the southern tip of South America—and the South Shetland Islands near Antarctica. Named after the 16th-century explorer Sir Francis Drake, this stretch of sea is notorious for violent weather, fierce currents, and massive waves.

Why Is It So Dangerous?

Often called “the most dreaded bit of ocean on the globe,” as Alfred Lansing described in his 1959 book Endurance, the passage is infamous for waves that can soar as high as 80 feet (25 meters). The relatively narrow channel funnels powerful winds and currents, making storms more intense and crossings extremely hazardous. Sailors often refer to the turbulent ride as the “Drake Shake.”

Karen Heywood, a professor of physical oceanography at the University of East Anglia, recalled her 2024 journey:
"At dinner, they had to put sticky mats on the tables to stop plates and glasses from sliding around."

A voyage across the passage typically takes around 48 hours, with extreme turbulence being the norm.

A Key Role in Earth’s Climate

Despite its dangers, the Drake Passage plays a crucial role in regulating global climate. Its turbulent waters mix ocean layers, enabling higher carbon absorption than most other seas. Oceans absorb over 30% of human-emitted carbon annually, and this region is a major contributor.

Millions of years ago, the opening of the Drake Passage reshaped Antarctica’s climate. By isolating the continent from warm ocean currents and air, it led to massive cooling and the formation of the Antarctic ice sheets. Without it, scientists say Antarctica would likely be far less icy today.