Powerful 7.5-Magnitude Earthquake Rocks Argentina, Triggers Tsunami Alert in Chile

A significant earthquake with a magnitude of 7.5 struck southern Argentina on Friday, causing widespread concern and prompting a tsunami warning for neighboring Chile, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS). The tremor, centered 217 kilometers south of Ushuaia in Tierra del Fuego, occurred at a depth of 10 kilometers, amplifying its impact.

The quake sent residents in affected areas fleeing from their homes in panic, as reported by the Mirror Online. In Chile, authorities swiftly issued a tsunami alert for coastal regions, urging residents to evacuate to higher ground. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center later clarified that the tsunami threat was confined to areas within 300 kilometers of the epicenter, sparing more distant regions like New Zealand, Australia, and Japan.

The USGS noted that the earthquake’s shallow depth likely intensified the shaking felt across southern Argentina and parts of Chile. No immediate reports of casualties or significant damage emerged, but local authorities in both countries are assessing the situation. Emergency services remain on high alert as aftershocks continue to rattle the region.

This seismic event underscores the vulnerability of the South American region, situated along the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” where tectonic activity frequently triggers earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.