CORRECTED: USGS reports 7.2 magnitude quake in NW China

Corrects location to northwestern China in first paragraph.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Geological Survey has verified a major 7.2 magnitude earthquake at 6:33 p.m. EDT on Thursday, in northwestern China, 141 miles SE of Hotan, Xinjiang.

The temblor was initially reported as 7.4 magnitude.

The depth of the quake was verified pegged at 23.1 miles.