Powerful 7.8 magnitude earthquake strikes the Drake Passage, triggering tsunami alert

A powerful earthquake measuring 7.8 on the Richter scale occurred in the early hours of Saturday in the area of the Drake Passage, between Cape Horn in South America and the South Shetland Islands of Antarctica, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS)

The German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ) registered the tremor as a 7-magnitude earthquake with a focal depth of 10 kilometres, a fact that suggests a shallow epicentre and an increased risk of strong surface tremors.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre (PTWC) issued a warning for a potential tsunami, calling on the coastal authorities of Chile and the southern regions of South America to monitor the situation closely.

So far, there are no reports of damage or casualties. However, local authorities remain on alert, as the Drake Passage area is located in a seismically active zone where the South American and Antarctic tectonic plates meet.