Key points
- Tsunami warning issued for Antarctic region
- Quake struck at 10-kilometre depth
- Experts say tsunami threat remains low
SANTIAGO, Chile: A magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck the Drake Passage — the stretch of ocean between the southern tip of South America and Antarctica, prompting emergency authorities to issue a tsunami warning, according to Reuters.
The United States Geological Survey reported that the quake occurred just before 5:30 p.m. local time (2030 GMT) at an estimated depth of 10 kilometres.
Chile’s SHOA maritime authority and the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre issued a precautionary alert for the country’s Antarctic territory, urging people to evacuate coastal areas.
However, both agencies lifted the warnings roughly an hour later.
Experts noted that the deep waters and rough, windy seas of the Drake Passage make it unlikely for tsunami waves to gain strength before reaching land.
The powerful quake in the Drake Passage caused strong tremors felt as far as southern Chile and Argentina, briefly alarming coastal communities. Research vessels and Antarctic bases were advised to remain alert while seismic experts assessed the stability of nearby fault lines. Scientists say such large quakes in this remote area are rare but highlight the region’s complex tectonic activity.
