A major 7.7 magnitude earthquake shook the Queen Charlotte Islands off the west coast of Canada, US government researchers said.

The epicenter of the tremor, which occurred at 8:04 pm (0304 GMT Sunday) was located 139 kilometers (86 miles) south of the town of Masset, the US Geological Survey said.

Numerous aftershocks, some as large as magnitude 4.6, followed the initial quake, Canadian officials reported.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said there was no "destructive widespread tsunami threat" at this time.

However, the regional West Coast-Alaska Tsunami Warning Center issued a regional warning for coasts located near the epicenter of the earthquake.

Emergency officials in British Columbia said a small tsunami had been recorded on a deep ocean pressure sensor, but its effect was not immediately known.

The officials urged residents in low-lying coastal areas to be alert to instructions from local officials and be prepared to move to higher ground.

Natural Resources Canada said in a statement that the temblor was felt across much of north-central British Columbia, including Haida Gwaii as the Queen Charlotte Islands are otherwise called, Prince Rupert, Quesnel, and Houston.

"There have been no reports of damage at this time," the ministry added.

However, experts said tremors exceeding magnitude 7.0 were extremely dangerous.

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Major earthquake hits islands off west Canada