Ushuaia, Argentina – A powerful magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck south of Ushuaia early Friday afternoon, shaking the remote Drake Passage region and triggering a rapid response from tsunami monitoring agencies. Despite the quake’s strength, no tsunami threat has been issued for coastal areas.
According to the U.S. National Tsunami Warning Center in Palmer, Alaska, the quake struck at 12:58 p.m. UTC (9:58 a.m. local time) at a depth of 10 kilometers. The epicenter was located approximately 219 kilometers south of Ushuaia, the southernmost city in Argentina, in an area known for tectonic interaction between the Scotia and South American plates.
The initial M7.4 event was followed by a series of significant aftershocks, including a 6.6 magnitude quake roughly an hour later and several others above magnitude 5. No major damage or injuries have been reported in Ushuaia or other nearby populated areas, and intensity maps indicate limited felt shaking on land.
With no tsunami expected, authorities recommend continued monitoring as aftershocks may persist into the weekend. Residents in southern Argentina and maritime traffic in the Drake Passage should remain aware of updated seismic alerts and avoid unnecessary travel near coastal areas if advised.
This will be the only U.S. tsunami statement unless conditions change.
