A powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck southern Argentina on Friday morning, rattling a remote region approximately 219 kilometres (136 miles) south of the nearest major settlements.
The tremor, recorded by the US Geological Survey (USGS), occurred at a shallow depth of 10 kilometres, amplifying potential ground shaking but triggering no immediate reports of casualties or structural damage.
The quake hit at 9:58 a.m. local time (12:58 GMT), with its epicentre located in a sparsely populated area. Argentine authorities confirmed no tsunami warnings were issued, though emergency services remain on alert for aftershocks.
While the region’s low population density likely limited immediate risks, the event underscores Argentina’s vulnerability to seismic activity. The country’s southern reaches lie near the volatile Scotia Plate boundary, where frequent quakes occur.
