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Earthquake strikes western Canada
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-08-28 23:53

WASHINGTON - A magnitude 6.1 earthquake stroke near Vancouver island of western Canada Thursday morning, the US Geological Survey, or USGS, said.

The quake took place at 1237 GMT and some 153 kilometers west-southwest of Port Hardy on the northern tip of the island, and 472 kilometers from Vancouver, it said.

A 6.1-magnitude earthquake is classified as "strong," the USGS Web site says, capable of causing considerable damage.

Thursday's quake was the latest of about two dozen temblors of magnitude 4 or above to strike in the area in the past 48 hours, according to the USGS.

A 5.2-magnitude quake was the largest of those, striking the same area Wednesday.

Seismologists said the quakes pose no tsunami threat and are unlikely to be felt on land.

Vancouver Island sits off Canada's west coast. Its main city of Victoria sits at its southern end.