While you may think quakes are a western US problem, some of the largest temblors in US history have happened in the East.
PUNTA ARENAS, Chile — A large 7.4 earthquake rattled the waters off South America in one of the world’s roughest ocean passages Friday, triggering fears of a tsunami.
The quake struck about 272 miles south of Chile’s Punta Arenas area and about 135 miles south of Ushuria in the area known as Drake’s Passage just before 9 a.m. ET, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
While the quake was estimated to be too small to trigger worldwide tsunami alerts, NOAA’s Pacific Tsunami Warning Center did issue a tsunami threat message for the coast of Chile within about 200 miles of the epicenter.
Waves reaching as high as 3-9 feet were possible along coastal Chile, while smaller waves of 1-3 feet were possible along some coasts of Antarctica.
Officials were also monitoring the possibility of waves reaching as far north along the Chilean coast as Golfo de Penas, arriving around 1:20 p.m. ET, and Puerto Williams, advising any waves wouldn’t reach there till just before 3 p.m. ET.
There are no initial reports of any damage or injuries.