Drake Strait Earthquake (2025)

The 2025 Drake Passage Earthquake was a marine earthquake of magnitude 7.4 that occurred on 2 May 2025 in the Drake Passage off the southern coasts of Chile and Argentina. Detected by the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the tremor originated at a shallow depth and triggered tsunami warnings and evacuations in southern Chile and certain areas of Antarctica. The tsunami alert was lifted later the same day, and no casualties or infrastructure damage were reported.

Magnitude and Depth

The earthquake occurred shortly after 09:00 local time on 2 May 2025, at 09:58 (12:58 GMT). According to data from the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the epicenter was located on the ocean floor within the Drake Passage, approximately 219 kilometers south of Ushuaia, Argentina. The earthquake’s depth was measured at 10 kilometers.

Affected Areas

The tremor occurred near the southern tip of South America, close to the coasts of Chile and Argentina. It was felt in Chile’s Magallanes region, around Cape Horn, and in several research stations in Antarctica. Data from the USGS and regional monitoring stations indicated that the seismic shaking was detected across a wide geographic area.

Tsunami Warnings and Evacuation Orders

Following the earthquake, Chile’s National Service for Disaster Prevention and Response (SENAPRED) ordered evacuations along the coastal zones of the Magallanes region and at certain Antarctic stations due to the risk of a tsunami. According to official statements, approximately 2,000 people were directed to higher elevations. A sea level rise of up to 6 centimeters was recorded at the Prat Base. Authorities reported that the tsunami could have reached up to 90 centimeters along the Chilean coast.

Later that afternoon, an official announcement lifted the tsunami warning, and evacuated areas returned to normal conditions. Chile’s Minister of the Interior, Álvaro Elizalde, urged residents to remain away from coastal zones prior to the cancellation of the alert.

Damage and Loss Status

Initial assessments by the USGS and Chile’s national disaster agencies found that the earthquake caused no casualties or physical damage. SENAPRED confirmed that no harm occurred to critical infrastructure.

Seismic and Geological Background

The Drake Passage region where the earthquake occurred lies along the boundary between the South American Plate and the Antarctic Plate. This area is recognized as a zone of high seismic activity due to the relative motion of oceanic plates. The southern coasts of Chile and Argentina are among the regions classified as seismically vulnerable within this context.