An earthquake with a magnitude of 7.6 struck the Drake Passage between South America and Antarctica on Friday, according to a report from the United States Geological Survey. The European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) reported the earthquake as 7.7 magnitude with a depth of 10 kilometers. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC) indicated that there could be hazardous tsunami waves within a 1000-kilometer radius of the epicenter.
The epicenter was located southeast of Ushuaia, Argentina (population 56,825) by 702 kilometers, Riogrande, Argentina (population 52,681) by 789 kilometers, Punta Arenas, Chile (population 117,430) by 949 kilometers, and Rio Gallegos, Argentina (population 95,796) by 1049 kilometers.
The United States Geological Survey issued a green alert regarding potential casualties and economic losses from the earthquake, suggesting that the likelihood of significant human and property damage was low. Overall, housing structures in the area were reported to be able to withstand the shaking, although there were some vulnerable buildings at risk of damage.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center warned that there was a possibility of dangerous tsunamis within a 1000-kilometer range along the Chilean coast, based on preliminary parameters.