What started as a calm morning quickly turned into a tense situation for people living near Chile’s southern tip.
Authorities are now on high alert following a major 7.5-magnitude earthquake that struck just off Argentina’s coast — and the fear of a tsunami is growing by the hour.
Quake Strikes Near Southern Chile, Triggers Immediate Response
The earthquake hit around 9 a.m. local time, roughly 200 kilometers (124 miles) south of Puerto Williams.
While the epicenter was technically off the Argentine coast, its proximity to Chile’s southern Magallanes Region has prompted swift action.
Disaster management officials in Chile wasted no time.
They ordered evacuations along the coastline in the Magallanes area, warning residents to head to safer ground due to the threat of tsunami waves.
Tsunami Risk Spurs Evacuation Orders and Cautions
Chile’s national emergency response agency, SENAPRED, shared that tsunami waves could potentially affect areas within 300 kilometers (about 186 miles) of the quake’s origin.
Fortunately, it appears the Falkland Islands are not in the danger zone.
SENAPRED also reassured citizens that teams are actively monitoring the situation and assessing any potential damage to infrastructure, public services, and communities.
They even reminded people to remember their pets during evacuations, a small but important detail in emergency situations.
Chile’s President Calls for Calm and Cooperation
President Gabriel Boric, who hails from the very region under threat, took to social media to urge everyone along the coast to evacuate promptly.
“Our responsibility now is to act and follow the directions of the authorities,” he posted on X (formerly Twitter), highlighting that national emergency resources have been fully activated.
Interior Minister Álvaro Elizalde and Undersecretary Víctor Ramos are both en route to SENAPRED headquarters to coordinate ongoing efforts and provide government support where needed.
A Country All Too Familiar with Seismic Catastrophes
Chile has lived through some of the most devastating earthquakes in recorded history.
The deadliest was back in 1960, when a monstrous 9.5-magnitude quake struck near Lumaco.
It triggered massive tsunamis that tore across the Pacific Ocean, killing between 1,000 and 6,000 people and reaching places as far away as Japan, the Philippines, and Hawaii, where waves up to 35 feet high crashed into Hilo.
Fast forward to 2010, and Chile was rocked once again — this time by an 8.8-magnitude earthquake.
The tremor lasted an intense three minutes and was felt as far north as Peru.
Tsunamis followed, devastating coastal towns in the country’s central-southern region.
Nearly one in ten people in those areas lost their homes, with at least 525 fatalities and more than 20 people still unaccounted for.
Living on the Edge: Chile’s Tectonic Reality
Chile sits right along the boundary where the Nazca and South American tectonic plates meet — a geological setup that makes it highly susceptible to powerful quakes.
It’s a known risk that Chileans live with, and the country has become one of the most earthquake-prepared nations in the world.
But no amount of preparation makes the immediate threat any less nerve-wracking.
What’s Next?
Emergency teams are continuing to monitor the situation, and updates are expected as assessments come in.
The big question now is whether the sea will stay calm or unleash destructive waves once again.
All eyes are on the coastline as Chile prepares for what could come next.