On May 2, 2025, at 12:58 p.m. UTC, a magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck the Drake Passage, the body of water between Cape Horn and Antarctica. The earthquake's epicenter was approximately 219 kilometers south of Ushuaia, Argentina, at a depth of 10 kilometers.

In response to the earthquake, Chilean authorities issued evacuation orders for coastal areas along the Strait of Magellan and Antarctic research stations due to potential tsunami threats. Approximately 2,000 residents and 32 individuals from Antarctic bases were evacuated. The tsunami alert was later lifted after assessments indicated no tsunami had occurred. No casualties or significant damage have been reported.

This event is notable as the most powerful earthquake in the southern regions of Chile and Argentina since the 1949 Tierra del Fuego earthquakes. The 1949 earthquakes were a doublet event, with magnitudes of 7.7 and 7.6, occurring on December 17, 1949. Their epicenters were located in the east of the Chilean Tierra del Fuego Province, close to the Argentine border on the island of Tierra del Fuego. These were the most powerful earthquakes ever recorded in the south of Argentina and among the most powerful in southern Chile.

The region's seismic activity is primarily influenced by the Magallanes-Fagnano Fault System (MFFS), a major transform boundary between the South American and Scotia tectonic plates. This fault system extends over 600 kilometers from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean, crossing Tierra del Fuego from west to east. The MFFS has been the site of significant seismic events, including the 1949 earthquakes.

Chilean President Gabriel Boric, a native of Punta Arenas, suspended his agenda to convene an emergency response meeting. Despite the initial threat, only calm evacuations and precautionary closures, such as schools in Punta Arenas, were reported. Chile, known for its frequent seismic activity due to tectonic plate interactions beneath the Pacific Ocean, demonstrated readiness and rapid response in managing the situation.

The swift and organized response to the earthquake underscores the effectiveness of Chile's disaster preparedness and response systems. The successful evacuation of residents and Antarctic personnel without casualties highlights the importance of proactive measures in mitigating the impact of natural disasters. This event also serves as a reminder of the region's vulnerability to seismic activity and the necessity for ongoing vigilance and preparedness.