4.2 quake hits near Reno

RENO -- A series of earthquakes capped by a 4.2 magnitude temblor rattled Reno on Thursday afternoon, shaking downtown buildings and putting residents on edge throughout the city.

Some cracked windows were reported in northwest residential areas but there were no immediate reports of injuries or major damage.

The 4.2 quake hit at 3:55 p.m. and was centered four miles northwest of Reno, the U.S. Geological Survey said. It shook downtown Reno for about 30 seconds and caused buildings to sway.

The Geological Survey said a 4.1 magnitude trembler hit minutes earlier at 3:47 p.m.

In addition to the two most powerful quakes, more that two dozen other small earthquakes were reported during about a 90-minute period, including four registering 2.4 and above.

Scores of smaller quakes have been recorded in recent weeks, said John Anderson of the University of Nevada, Reno's seismology laboratory.

"Since April 15, there have been three a day," he said.