---
title: "Earthquake of magnitude 7.5 strikes Drake Passage, USGS says"
description: "Aug 21 (Reuters) - A magnitude 7.5 earthquake struck the Drake Passage on Thursday, a body of water located between the southern tip of South America and Antarctica, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) said."
type: "NewsArticle"
publisher: "Daily Maverick"
site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za"
section: "Newsdeck"
author: "Reuters"
author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/reuters/"
canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-08-22-earthquake-of-magnitude-7-5-strikes-drake-passage-usgs-says/"
published: "2025-08-22T05:11:55"
updated: "2025-08-22T05:11:57"
lang: "en-ZA"
word_count: 24
---

# Earthquake of magnitude 7.5 strikes Drake Passage, USGS says

> Aug 21 (Reuters) - A magnitude 7.5 earthquake struck the Drake Passage on Thursday, a body of water located between the southern tip of South America and Antarctica, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) said.

By Reuters · Published 22 August 2025, 07:11 SAST · Updated 22 August 2025, 07:11 SAST

## Key points
- In a seismic shake-up that rattled the earth at a mere 10 kilometers deep, the USGS confirmed that Mother Nature still knows how to throw a party—albeit one that leaves everyone a bit shaken.
- A significant earthquake struck at a depth of 10 km (6.21 miles), according to the USGS.
- The event has raised concerns about potential aftershocks and damage in the affected area.
- Local authorities are assessing the situation and preparing for emergency responses.
- Stay tuned for updates as more information becomes available.

## Content

The quake was at a depth of 10 km (6.21 miles) the USGS said.

(Reporting by Harshita Meenaktshi in Bengaluru; Editing by Jacqueline Wong)