Chile and Antarctica Fear Tsunamis After 7.5-Magnitude Earthquake

Early this morning, a strong 7.5-magnitude earthquake off the southern Argentina coast sent tsunami warnings to parts of Antarctica and southern Chile.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the earthquake happened at a depth of 10 km and roughly 200 km south of Puerto Williams. There were at least four aftershocks.

Officials warned that the Magallanes Region of Chile could be hit by tsunami waves as high as nine feet, while Antarctica could see waves as high as three feet.

Video showed people and vehicles escaping towns like Punta Arenas as evacuations started along Chile’s southern coast. Officials stressed how crucial it is to include pets in evacuation plans.

“All state resources are available,” said Chilean President Gabriel Boric, who is a native of the area and urged people to heed official orders.

The southernmost region of Chile, the Magallanes Region, is sparsely populated but at risk because of its closeness to the epicenter of the earthquake.

Devastating earthquakes have long occurred in Chile, which is situated along a significant tectonic boundary. The strongest known earthquake was the Valdivia earthquake in 1960.