A 7.5-magnitude earthquake struck early this morning about 200 km south of Puerto Williams, off southern Argentina, at a depth of 10 km, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. It triggered tsunami warnings across southern Chile and parts of Antarctica.
Officials warned that tsunami waves could reach up to 9 feet in Chile’s Magallanes Region and 3 feet in Antarctica. At least four aftershocks followed the initial quake.
Evacuations were ordered along Chile’s southern coast. Footage showed people and vehicles fleeing towns like Punta Arenas. Authorities urged residents to include pets in their evacuation plans.
President Gabriel Boric, who is from the region, said, “All state resources are available,” urging citizens to follow emergency instructions.
Though sparsely populated, the Magallanes Region is especially at risk due to its closeness to the epicenter. Chile sits on a major tectonic boundary and has a long history of powerful earthquakes, including the 1960 Valdivia quake, the strongest ever recorded.
