7.4 magnitude earthquake strikes off Argentina coast, tsunami alert issued
A 7.4 magnitude earthquake hit the Drake Passage between Cape Horn and Antarctica on Friday at a shallow depth of 10 km, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS)
A powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck the southern coasts of Argentina and Chile on Friday, prompting a tsunami alert shortly after.
The earthquake occurred in the Drake Passage, about 222 kilometres south of Ushuaia.
Chilean authorities issued an evacuation alert for the entire coastal region along the Strait of Magellan in the country's far south due to the tsunami threat.
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"We're calling to evacuate the coast in the whole region of Magallanes," President Gabriel Boric said on X, adding that all state resources would be mobilized to address any impacts.
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A tsunami is a series of large, persistent waves caused by the sudden displacement of a body of water. Earthquakes are responsible for more than 80 per cent of tsunamis that form around the world, according to NOAA, but these waves can also occur after events like landslides and volcanic eruptions.
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This is a developing story, please check back for updates.
Thumbnail image courtesy: Canva.