Tsunami Alert Leads to Evacuations in Antarctica and Southern Chile
Strong Earthquake Strikes Off Chilean Coast; Evacuations Ordered Due to Tsunami Risk
On Friday, a powerful magnitude 7.4 earthquake hit the Drake Passage, located between Cape Horn and Antarctica. The tremor occurred at a shallow depth of just 10 kilometers (6 miles), according to data from the United States Geological Survey.
In the wake of the earthquake, Chile’s disaster response agency, SENAPRED, reported no immediate damage to critical infrastructure or injuries. However, authorities urged residents along the southern coastline to evacuate due to the elevated risk of a tsunami. Chilean President Gabriel Boric emphasized the need for precaution, stating on X, "We’re calling to evacuate the coast in the whole region of Magallanes," while assuring that all state resources would be mobilized to manage the situation effectively.
Footage shared on social media depicted residents calmly evacuating as emergency sirens sounded in the background. Parks and evacuation sites in Chile’s remote southern region quickly filled with students, workers, and other residents seeking safety.
Chile’s Hydrographic and Oceanographic Service warned that tsunami waves were expected to reach Antarctica first, followed by the southern cities of Chile in the hours to come. Meanwhile, Chile’s Antarctic Institute confirmed that bases in the region were being evacuated, with local authorities reporting that approximately 2,000 individuals had already been moved to safety.
SENAPRED has since enacted a state of precaution, reflecting an alert for potential minor tsunamis. NOAA forecasts predict wave heights of 0.3 to 1 meter in Antarctica and 1 to 3 meters along the Chilean coast. As the situation develops, local authorities continue to monitor the effects of the earthquake and the threat of tsunamis.
