An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.8 struck western China on Monday, the U.S. Geological Survey reported. The quake struck 57 miles (92 kilometers) northwest of the Sichhuan provincial capital of Chengdu at 2:28 p.m. (0628 GMT), the survey said on its Web site. It said the quake was centered 18 miles (29 kilometers) below the surface.
