Strong 7.4 Earthquake Hits Off Coasts of Chile and Argentina, Tsunami Warning Issued

GG News Bureau 

Buenos Aires, 2 May  — A huge earthquake of 7.4 on the Richter scale hit off the southern coastal areas of Chile and Argentina on Friday, triggering authorities to alert residents with a tsunami warning in the affected zones. Seismologists said the epicenter of the quake was off the coast of Chile, close to the border with Argentina, at a depth of about 10 kilometers below the sea bed.

The massive quake shook a broad area of southern Chile and portions of Argentina, causing buildings to tremble, tossing coastal towns, and forcing residents to scramble to safety. Governments in both nations quickly went to survey the damage and encouraged residents along the coast to move to higher ground as a precaution against potential tsunami waves.

Chile’s National Emergency Office (ONEMI) reported that the earthquake occurred at approximately 10:15 AM local time, with its impact being felt most intensely in the Aysén and Magallanes provinces. In Argentina, the quake was felt in the southern Santa Cruz and Tierra del Fuego provinces. Emergency teams were sent to check for possible infrastructure damage, but no significant casualties or building collapses were reported in the initial hours.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center released a tsunami alert shortly after the quake, indicating potential dangerous waves along the Chilean and Argentine coasts. “Based on initial seismic data, hazardous tsunami waves are possible for coasts within 300 kilometers of the epicenter,” the PTWC said. Chilean President Gabriel Boric spoke to the country, calling for calm and noting the readiness of the government. “Our emergency systems are all activated and we are watching very closely. We urge all those living on the coast to comply with evacuation orders and keep themselves informed through official sources,” he said in a televised address.

Argentina also heeded a call from officials who warned of danger, advising beachgoers and residents near coastal areas to steer clear until the tsunami has subsided.

Both countries sit on the seismically active Pacific Ring of Fire and thus are significantly earthquake- and volcanically-active-prone, respectively. Argentina especially has some of the biggest, most forceful earthquakes of historical record on record, starting with the horrible 9.5 magnitude shake at Valdivia in 1960.To date, officials remain attentive to the situation, and residents have been asked to remain on guard and adhere to official warnings.