An earthquake registering a magnitude of 7.4 struck the southern coastal regions of Chile and Argentina on Friday, leading to the temporary evacuation of areas along Chile’s Magallanes region and prompting Argentina to halt aquatic activities within Tierra del Fuego province.
Fortunately, there were no immediate reports of damage or injuries following the seismic event. The United States Geological Survey pinpointed the quake’s epicenter beneath the ocean, approximately 219 kilometers (about 173 miles) south of Ushuaia, a city in Argentina.
In response to the quake, Chile issued an evacuation alert covering the entire coastal expanse along the Strait of Magellan, located in the country’s extreme south. Chile’s National Service for Disaster Prevention and Response advised the populace with a tsunami alert, urging evacuation to secure zones along Magallanes’ coastal areas. Additionally, they suggested vacating all beach regions in the Chilean Antarctic territory.
Chilean President Gabriel Boric emphasized on social media that all necessary resources were available to address any potential emergencies. He urged residents to comply with the evacuation orders for the entire Magallanes coastline, emphasizing the importance of readiness and adherence to authority directives.
Punta Arenas, situated in Chilean Patagonia and on the Magellan Strait—the juncture of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans—witnessed residents on the move, seeking safe havens. Local television conveyed scenes of people carrying belongings, although the evacuation unfolded smoothly and without unrest. Roberto Ramírez, who was interviewed by a 24-hour news channel, noted that while they evacuated promptly upon receiving the alert, the atmosphere remained composed and well-organized.
The Hydrographic and Oceanographic Service of the Chilean Navy (SHOA) indicated that waves could potentially reach the Antarctic region within the subsequent hour, though they might take up to 12 hours to reach distant locations.
In Ushuaia, an Argentine city in proximity to the quake and reputed to be the world’s southernmost, local authorities opted to temporarily suspend all water-based activities and navigation within the Beagle Channel for a minimum of three hours. Despite feeling the tremor primarily in Ushuaia and to a lesser extent in other provincial towns, officials reported no material damage or evacuations.
The local government in Ushuaia emphasized the importance of remaining tranquil during such events, underscoring the priority of safety and calmness in uncertain situations.