Earthquake rocks Canada islands

12:23, 28 October 2012

OTTAWA. October 28. KAZINFORM A 7.7 magnitude earthquake has rocked islands off Canada's western coastline, being widely felt in parts of British Columbia, but prompting no immediate reports of damage.

The quake hit 125 miles (200km) south-west of Prince Rupert at a depth of 11 miles, said the US Geological Survey .

It struck around 03:00 GMT and was followed by a 5.8 magnitude aftershock. Local tsunami warnings were issued.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre said it did not expect a wider threat .

People in coastal areas of Haida Gwaii were reportedly being moved to higher ground as a precaution, Kazinform has learnt from BBC.

Urs Thomas, operator of the Golden Spruce hotel in Port Clements, close to the epicentre, said the initial quake lasted about three minutes.

"It was a pretty good shock," he told Associated Press. "I looked at my boat outside. It was rocking. Everything was moving. My truck was moving."

Prince Rupert resident Grainne Barthe told AP: "Everything was moving. It was crazy. I've felt earthquakes before but this was the biggest. It was nerve wracking. I thought we should be going under a table."

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