According to the U.S. Geological Survey, a 7.6 magnitude quake slammed close to Drake Passage Friday afternoon.

The tremor, which shook the area at 20:29 UTC (16:29 local time), was centered of Drake Passage. It occurred at a depth of 7 km. Seismologists first reported it as a 7.8 event, but later downgraded it to 7.6.

Did you feel it?

If you noticed the earthquake, you can share your experience using the USGS Felt Report form. 5 people have submitted responses through the agency’s online form, indicating they felt the quake.

Impact and estimated losses

Green alert for shaking-related fatalities and economic losses. There is a low likelihood of casualties and damage.

Structure information summary
Overall, the population in this region resides in structures that are resistant to earthquake shaking, though vulnerable structures exist. The predominant vulnerable building types are adobe block and rubble/field stone masonry construction.

Detailed tectonic summary

The October 10, 2025, magnitude 7.6 earthquake, located within the Drake Passage between the southern tip of South America and the Antarctic Peninsula, occurred as the result of strike-slip faulting at shallow depth. The focal mechanism solution indicates the earthquake occurred either as left-lateral strike-slip motion on a fault striking to the west-northwest or as right-lateral strike-slip on a fault striking south. The earthquake occurred within the Antarctic plate, southwest of its boundary with the Scotia plate.

The October 10, 2025, earthquake occurred in nearly the same location as a magnitude 7.5 earthquake that occurred on August 22, 2025.

Historically, this region has few earthquakes, with only two other earthquakes of magnitude 6 or larger within 155 miles (250 km) since 1950 – a magnitude 6 in 2009, and a magnitude 6.1 in 1964. Although rare, large intraplate earthquakes (those that occur within, instead of at the edge of a plate) do occasionally occur.

While commonly plotted as points on maps, earthquakes of this magnitude are more appropriately described as slip over a larger fault area. Strike-slip faulting events of the size of the August 22, 2025, event are typically about 140 km by 20 km (length x width).

Source: The U.S. Geological Survey