The US Geological Survey ( USGS ) reported that on Friday, a powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck off Chile and Argentina’s southern coast.
Chilean government ordered the removal of coastal areas in the distant Magallanes place after the US National Weather Service issued a wave caution.
Eventually, the state disaster agency’s director, Magallanes, lifted the evacuation order and declared that “everyone may return and resume their routines.”
Chile’s SENAPRED disaster agency reported shortly after the earthquake that it was anticipating tsunami waves of between one and three meters crashing into the coastline. According to the Hydrographic and Oceanographic Service ( SHOA ), they would arrive within a few hours.
There are no pending reports of injury or damage brought on by the disaster.
What are our current knowledge of the disaster?
The Drake Passage, a maritime corridor connecting Antarctica’s southernmost tip with the southernmost tip, was reported to be 219 kilometers ( roughly 136 miles ) off the coast.
It struck at 9:58 a.m. local time ( 1258 GMT ), and several aftershocks were reported later.
The quake’s level was estimated to be around 10 meters.
Chile, which is situated on the consolidation of three geological plates: the Nazca, South American, and Antarctic, is one of the nations most susceptible to earthquakes.
Southwestern coastal regions are ordered to be evacuated by Chile.
Following the studies of the disaster, Chile’s National Service for Disaster Prevention and Response issued a “tsunami notice,” adding that “evacuation to a safe area is being ordered for the southern areas of the Magallanes territory is being ordered.”
President Gabriel Boric wrote on social media that” we are calling for the removal of the beach throughout the Magallanes place.”
Our obligation right now is to be prepared and pay attention to the government.
Before the evacuation order was overturned, lights blared in the background as people quietly left the places under surveillance.
Ushuaia, Argentina’s southern city, is also regarded as the nation’s southernmost city, which reported no significant damage or an evacuation order.
Puerto Almanza, located just off the coast of Ushuaia, was ordered by Brazilian authorities to be evacuated.
