Rare meteotsunami causes deadly surge along Santa Clara del Mar coast, Argentina
A rare meteotsunami struck the coastal town of Santa Clara del Mar in Buenos Aires Province, Argentina, at around 16:30 LT (19:30 UTC) on January 12, 2026, killing one person and injuring at least 35. The sea suddenly withdrew and returned as powerful 5–6 m (16–20 feet) large waves, inundating beaches crowded with tourists and residents.
Meteotsunami hits Santa Clara del Mar, Argentina on January 12, 2026. Credit: TodoJujuy (stillshot from the video)
A strong meteotsunami impacted Argentina’s Atlantic coast on January 12, generating an abrupt sea-level rise and destructive waves that struck Santa Clara del Mar and nearby beaches in Mar Chiquita Partido. The event occurred during the late afternoon, between 16:20 and 17:00 local time (19:20–20:00 UTC), while beaches were full under hot summer conditions.
Witnesses reported the sea suddenly withdrawing several meters before returning as a violent surge that inundated the shore and threw people and objects inland.
Local media described wave crests of approximately 5 to 6 m (16–20 feet) above normal sea level, far higher than typical surf in the region, which rarely exceeds 2 m (6.5 feet).
The phenomenon caused widespread panic as beachgoers attempted to flee the rapidly advancing water.
One person, a man aged 29, died after being struck by the surge and thrown against rocks while fishing on a breakwater. At least 35 others were injured, including a person who suffered a heart attack amid the chaos. Dozens were treated for cuts and bruises caused by debris and collisions with structures.
Emergency teams from Defensa Civil de Buenos Aires, local lifeguards, and health services carried out rescue operations and evacuations across Santa Clara del Mar and nearby resorts such as Mar de Cobo and Mar del Plata. Authorities described the incident as “historic and unprecedented” for the area.
According to meteorologists and oceanographic specialists, the event was a meteotsunami, a tsunami-like surge generated by rapid atmospheric pressure changes and wind shifts associated with a passing frontal system, not by seismic activity. The pressure disturbance likely induced a resonant oscillation in the continental shelf waters, producing a sudden rise and fall of the sea surface.
Such phenomena are rare along Argentina’s Atlantic coast, though weaker events have been recorded in recent years. Oceanographers noted that the local geometry of Mar Chiquita Bay may amplify meteotsunami waves when specific meteorological conditions align.
No tide-gauge measurements have yet been released to confirm the exact wave heights.
Officials urged caution and reminded the public that if a rapid sea withdrawal is observed without warning, people should immediately move inland and away from the shoreline.
Experts say current monitoring systems in the region are not designed to forecast meteotsunamis, but research into early-warning methods is ongoing.
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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