Tsunami Alert Issued for Chile Following Powerful 7.5 Magnitude Earthquake Off Argentina’s Coast
Authorities are on high alert as a massive tsunami threat looms over southern Chile in the wake of a powerful 7.5 magnitude earthquake that struck just off the Argentine coast. The seismic event hit around 9 a.m. local time, approximately 200 kilometers (124 miles) south of Puerto Williams—near the southernmost tip of Chile.
According to the United States Geological Survey, the quake originated at a depth of 10 kilometers and was swiftly followed by at least four aftershocks, further intensifying concerns.
The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has warned of potential tsunami waves reaching up to 9 feet along Chile’s coastline, while bases in Antarctica could see waves as high as 3 feet. Chile’s Hydrographic and Oceanographic Service (SHOA) confirmed that these waves are expected to arrive at both southern cities and Antarctic outposts within hours.
In response, disaster authorities have ordered a full evacuation of coastal zones in the Magallanes Region. Dramatic video footage from the area shows residents calmly but urgently leaving their homes, while other clips from Punta Arenas capture traffic jams as cars stream out of the city.
Emergency services have emphasized that tsunami waves could impact any coastal areas within 300 kilometers (186 miles) of the earthquake’s epicenter, though current models suggest the Falkland Islands remain outside the danger zone.
Chile’s National Disaster Prevention and Response System, SENAPRED, is actively monitoring the situation, vowing to assess potential damage to infrastructure, essential services, and public safety in real time. In a reminder of the human side of disaster preparedness, officials added:
“Please remember to include your pets in your evacuation plans.”
