A polar air mass originating from Antarctica brought record low temperatures to Argentina, Chile and Uruguay between June 30 and July 3, 2024, causing at least 15 deaths and prompting emergency shelter activation and gas supply restrictions across the region.
Chile recorded some of its coldest temperatures in history on June 30, as a polar wave brought subzero conditions from the Altiplano to Patagonia. The extreme cold led to closure of a key border crossing between Chile and Argentina starting on July 1 due to ice and snow accumulations.
Snow blanketed Chile’s Atacama Desert on June 26, 2025, disrupting transport and closing schools across Tarapacá, Antofagasta, and Atacama regions.
A strong earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.4 hit Atacama, Chile, at 17:15 UTC (13:15 local time) on June 6, 2025. The agency is reporting a depth of 76.6 km (48 miles). CSN Chile is reporting M6.4 at a depth of 65 km (40 miles).
A rare tornado struck the southern Chilean city of Puerto Varas at approximately 15:30 LT on Sunday, May 25, 2025. The tornado caused significant damage to homes, vehicles, and infrastructure, left eight people injured, and thousands without power.
A strong earthquake registered by the CSN as M6.0 struck 54 km (33.5 miles) south of Sierra Gorda, Antofagasta, Chile, at 16:21 UTC (13:21 LT) on March 6, 2025. The agency reported a depth of 96 km (59.6 miles). The USGS and EMSC reported a slightly higher magnitude of M6.1, and depth at 94 km (58 miles).
A strong earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.1 hit the Tarapaca-Antofagasta border region of Chile at 20:43 UTC on January 2, 2025. The agency is reporting a depth of 99 km (61 miles). EMSC is reporting M6.1 at a depth of 91 km (56 miles).
A strong earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.4 hit the Chile-Argentina border region at 23:38 UTC (20:38 LT) on December 13, 2024. The agency is reporting a depth of 110 km (68 miles). EMSC is reporting the same magnitude and depth. CSN Chile is reporting M6.3 at a depth of 114 km (70 miles).
A wildfire in Chile’s Tiltil Commune, Chacabuco Province, scorched 200 ha (494.2 acres) of land on Saturday afternoon, November 30, 2024, prompting evacuations, injuring three people, and raising suspicions of arson before being controlled by firefighting teams.
A strong and shallow earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.3 hit off the coast of Aisen, Chile at 11:37 UTC on November 8, 2024. The agency is reporting a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles). Centro Sismilogical Nacional (CSN) Chile is reporting M6.2 at a depth of 7 km (4.3 miles).
