A powerful earthquake shook the Drake Passage, a remote and geologically active waterway connecting the Southwestern Atlantic and Southeastern Pacific Oceans, early Friday morning. The US Geological Survey (USGS) initially reported the quake at magnitude 8.0, later revising it to 7.5, with the epicenter located between Cape Horn, South America, and Antarctica’s South Shetland Islands.
Epicenter Details
- Location: ~700 km southeast of Ushuaia, Argentina
- Depth: 10.8 km (USGS)
- Time: 2:16 AM UTC / 7:46 AM IST
Tsunami Precaution for Chile
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC) briefly issued a warning for Chilean coastal areas, suggesting that hazardous tsunami waves could reach parts of the Chilean Antarctic territory within three hours. Chile’s Navy Hydrographic and Oceanographic Service echoed the advisory, urging caution but stopping short of evacuation orders.
The US tsunami warning system did not issue further alerts, and no significant tsunami threat was identified for regions beyond the initial advisory zone.
Conflicting Seismic Reports
Seismic agencies around the world reported varying magnitudes:
| Agency | Reported Magnitude | Depth |
|---|---|---|
| USGS | 7.5 (revised from 8.0) | 10.8 km |
| German Research Center for Geosciences | 7.1 | Not specified |
| India’s National Center for Seismology (NCS) | 7.4 | 36 km |
These discrepancies underscore the complexity of seismic monitoring and the importance of cross-agency coordination during natural disasters.
Global Seismic Context
Just weeks earlier, on July 30, a massive 8.8 magnitude earthquake struck Russia’s Far East, triggering tsunami waves that reached Japan, Alaska, and prompted alerts across the Pacific Rim, including Hawaii, North and Central America, and New Zealand.
Why the Drake Passage Matters
The Drake Passage is a critical marine corridor known for its turbulent waters, tectonic activity, and role in global ocean circulation. It lies at the junction of the South American Plate and the Antarctic Plate, making it highly susceptible to seismic events.
