Minor earthquake rattles Los Angeles

LOS ANGELES, California (CNN) -- A 4.2 magnitude earthquake shook northern Los Angeles Sunday evening, knocking dishes off shelves and setting off alarms but failing to cause major damage or injuries, officials said.

The "light" earthquake, centered a mile east of Beverly Hills and West Hollywood, happened at 4:59 p.m., the U.S. Geological Survey reported.

The California Institute of Technology said a 2.8-magnitude aftershock, centered one mile northeast of Beverly Hills, rattled the area one minute later.

Residents from the San Fernando Valley south to Orange County reported feeling the quake.

"The only reports we have are of some broken dishes," said Lt. Kathy Pattullo of the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department, West Hollywood station. "We have no injuries reported and no significant damage."

Pattullo said the department was inundated with calls from concerned residents. Burglar alarms activated by the quake sounded all over the city, she said.

The shaking from the initial, larger earthquake lasted about 20 seconds, Pattullo said.

"This is a good waker-upper," said Jim Wells with the Los Angeles County Fire Department. "It will shake the nerves and the dishes, but not do any damages."