A major earthquake -- and several aftershocks hit the BC coast Saturday evening, prompting evacuations in several communities.
At 8:04 -- a magnitude 7.7 quake struck the Queen Charlottes -- about 40 kilometres south of Sandspit -- with a depth of about 19 kilometres.
Officials triggered a tsunami warning, affecting the north coast of BC and Haida Gwaii, and the central coast including Bella Bella, Bella Coola and Shearwater.
Officials said it was believed a low level tsunami could impact marinas and other coastal infrastructure or create strong currents in harbours and isolated coastal areas in those zones.
Local governments in affected areas were being advised to activate their emergency plans and to immediately evacuate marinas, beaches, and other areas that were below the normal high tide mark.
That warning has now been downgraded to a tsunami advisory.
Also under a tsunami advisory -- coastal areas of BC south of northern Vancouver Island to the BC-Washington border.
An advisory means to stay out of the water, off the beach, and out of harbours and marinas.
No damage or injuries have been reported.