A massive offshore earthquake struck Chile’s Drake Passage on Friday, triggering tsunami alerts and coastal evacuations. The 7.4 magnitude quake was located about 272 miles south of Punta Arenas and 135 miles south of Ushuria. According to the US Geological Survey, the quake occurred just before 9 a.m. ET.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued a tsunami threat message for Chile’s coast within 200 miles of the epicenter, warning of waves reaching up to 3-9 feet above tide level. However, officials determined the threat had passed by noon ET and all alerts were canceled.
Chile’s National Disaster Prevention and Response Service evacuated over 1,800 people from shorelines, while tsunami sirens sounded in Puerto Williams. The Chilean Antarctic territory was also placed under a Red Alert, with people advised to abandon beach areas.
The quake triggered more than a dozen strong aftershocks, including a 6.4 magnitude quake before 2 p.m. ET. Fortunately, there are no initial reports of damage or injuries.
Source: https://www.foxweather.com/earth-space/earthquake-triggers-tsunami-alerts-chile-may-2