From correspondents in Washington, United States, 11:30 PM IST

A powerful earthquake measuring 6.1 on the Richter scale struck near Vancouver island of western Canada Thursday morning, the US Geological Survey (USGS) said.

The quake took place some 153 km southwest of Port Hardy on the northern tip of the island, and 472 km from Vancouver, the USGS said.

Thursday's quake was the latest of about two dozen temblors of 4.0 magnitude or above to strike in the area in the past 48 hours, according to the USGS.

A 5.2-magnitude quake was the largest among the earlier quakes that struck the same area Wednesday.

Seismologists, however, said the quakes posed no tsunami threat and were unlikely to be felt on land.

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

(Staff Writer, © IANS)