Major M7.6 earthquake hits Drake Passage, hazardous tsunami waves possible
A major and shallow earthquake registered by the USGS as M7.6 struck the Drake Passage at 20:29 UTC on October 10, 2025. The agency is reporting a depth of 10.5 km (6 miles). EMSC is reporting M7.7 at a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles). According to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC), hazardous tsunami waves are possible within 1 000 km (620 miles) of the epicenter.
Epicenter of M7.6 earthquake in Drake Passage on October 10, 2025. Credit: TW/SAM, Google
The epicenter was located 702 km (436 miles) SSE of Tolhuin (population 3 000), 705 km (438 miles) SE of Ushuaia (population 56 825), 789 km (490 miles) SSE of Río Grande (population 52 681), 949 km (590 miles) SE of Punta Arenas (population 117 430), and 1 049 km (652 miles) SSE of Río Gallegos (population 95 796).
The USGS issued a Green alert for shaking-related fatalities and economic losses. There is a low likelihood of casualties and damage.
Overall, the population in this region resides in structures that are resistant to earthquake shaking, though vulnerable structures exist.
Based on preliminary parameters, hazardous tsunami waves are possible within 1 000 km (620 miles) of the epicenter along the coasts of Chile, the PTWC said.
The following are estimated arrival times (ETA) of the initial tsunami waves for locations under potential threat. Actual arrival times may differ, and the first wave may not be the largest. A tsunami consists of multiple waves, and the time between wave crests can range from 5 minutes to 1 hour.
| Location | Region | Coordinates | ETA (UTC) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Puerto Williams | Chile | 54.9°S 67.6°W | 10:36, Oct 11 |
| Punta Arenas | Chile | 53.2°S 70.9°W | 20:49, Oct 11 |
A tsunami is a series of waves, and the hazard can persist for many hours or longer after the initial wave. Impacts can vary significantly from one coastal area to another due to local bathymetry, shoreline shape, and elevation.
The level of impact also depends on the tidal stage at the time the maximum waves arrive.
People caught in tsunami waters may drown, be struck by debris, or be swept out to sea.
This is the second M7+ earthquake of the day, following M7.4 in Mindanao, Philippines.
Estimated population exposure to earthquake shaking
Regional seismicity
References:
1 M7.6 earthquake Drake Passage — USGS — October 10, 2025
2 M7.7 earthquake Drake Passage — EMSC — October 10, 2025
3 M7.7 earthquake Drake Passage — EMSC — October 10, 2025
I'm a dedicated researcher, journalist, and editor at The Watchers. With over 20 years of experience in the media industry, I specialize in hard science news, focusing on extreme weather, seismic and volcanic activity, space weather, and astronomy, including near-Earth objects and planetary defense strategies. You can reach me at teo /at/ watchers.news.
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