Ushuaia: A powerful earthquake measuring 7.5 on the Richter scale struck Argentina on Saturday, prompting authorities to issue a tsunami warning for coastal regions. The tremor occurred at 6:30 PM IST and was centred 222 kilometres off the coast of Ushuaia, a southern city in Argentina. The quake’s epicentre was located in the Drake Passage, at a shallow depth of just 10 kilometres beneath the seabed.
According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the main quake was followed by a series of aftershocks—three notable ones measured at 5.4, 5.7, and 5.6 magnitude respectively—within just 15 minutes of the initial tremor.
The Drake Passage, a turbulent body of water between Cape Horn (Chile and Argentina) and the South Shetland Islands of Antarctica, is known for its geological volatility. Saturday’s seismic activity has heightened concern in the region, which has already witnessed a 5.8 magnitude earthquake just a day earlier.
Emergency protocols were swiftly activated, with sirens sounding across vulnerable areas. Authorities have urged residents to move to higher ground as a precautionary measure. As of now, there have been no reports of casualties or significant damage.
