Saturday, March 29, 2025
A massive earthquake measuring 7.8 on the Richter scale struck South America early Saturday, prompting an immediate tsunami warning and large-scale coastal evacuations. The quake hit in the Drake Passage, a notorious stretch of ocean between South America and Antarctica, sparking fears of destructive waves.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the earthquake’s epicenter was located at a shallow depth of just 10 kilometers (6.2 miles), an area where seismic shocks often cause severe damage. The violent tremors were felt across southern Chile, where emergency authorities issued alerts and began moving residents from vulnerable coastal zones.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center confirmed the threat of a tsunami and urged people in coastal communities to evacuate to higher ground. Fishing vessels and ships were ordered back to ports, while maritime authorities warned of high waves building up in the Drake Passage. Chilean officials have already mobilized rescue and evacuation efforts.
The Drake Passage connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans and stretches about 600 miles wide between Cape Horn in South America and the South Shetland Islands of Antarctica. Known for its violent winds, rip currents, and massive waves powered by the Antarctic Circumpolar Current, it has long been regarded as one of the most dangerous sea routes in the world.
South America lies on the Pacific Ring of Fire, one of the most seismically active regions on Earth. The Nazca Plate is subducting beneath the South American Plate, a process that generates tremendous geological pressure. Sudden slips along fault lines release energy in the form of earthquakes. Countries such as Chile, Peru, and Ecuador, located along the western coast, are particularly vulnerable.
The recent quake follows another major tremor in the Philippines earlier this week, highlighting the global scale of seismic activity along tectonic boundaries. Scientists continue to monitor aftershocks and potential tsunami impacts in the region.
