ANTARCTICA – A powerful magnitude 7.6 earthquake struck deep beneath the Drake Passage late Friday, shaking the remote waters between South America and Antarctica. The U.S. Geological Survey reports the quake hit at 8:29 p.m. UTC about 10 kilometers below the ocean floor, centered roughly halfway between Cape Horn and the South Shetland Islands.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey’s National Earthquake Information Center, the event was strong enough to trigger a regional tsunami watch through Friday night. The U.S. Tsunami Warning System said it is monitoring for any hazardous waves in the southern Atlantic and along Antarctic research outposts. No immediate damage or injuries were reported from nearby bases or shipping lanes.
The Chilean Navy’s Hydrographic and Oceanographic Service, which oversees tsunami alerts for the region, said coastal communities in far southern Chile—including Punta Arenas and Puerto Williams—should remain alert for changes in sea level and avoid harbor activity until advisories are cleared. The quake was likely felt across scientific bases on King George Island and possibly aboard research vessels operating in the passage.
Scientists note that quakes of this size are rare but not unprecedented in the Drake Passage, a zone where the Scotia and Antarctic plates grind together beneath some of the roughest seas on Earth. Mariners are urged to monitor official bulletins and avoid unnecessary crossings until seismic activity settles.
