Twenty years have passed since the terrifying Indian Ocean tsunami took the lives of 220,000 people, a disaster no one saw coming.
France is currently looking at protective measures to ensure its coastline is prepared for when, not if, it happens in Europe.
According to scientists working at UNESCO, there is a 100 percent chance a tsunami will hit Europe in the next 30 to 50 years. For that reason, the French are installing early-warning systems and training courses to ensure that when it does happen, its citizens will be prepared.
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In 2012, France set up the National Centre for Tsunami Alert (Cenalt), with seismometers working around the clock to monitor earthquake activity around the country with the intention of avoiding a tragedy similar to what happened in southeast Asia two decades ago.
1979 tsunami killed 11 on French south coast
In Europe, tsunamis do occur, although it would be unusual for them to reach 3 metres high, whereas in the Pacific and Indian Oceans, they can reach 30 metres in height. However, even smaller waves can cause serious damage and a risk to life. In October 1979 an underwater avalanche caused a tsunami in Nice and a subsequent 3-metre high wave hit the coast, killing 11 people and sending water 150 metres inland.
Cenalt have recorded some 100 significant seismological events since 2012, none of which were big enough to cause serious damage to French shores, but given how low the French Riviera can be in parts, they keep watching for potential risk.
Were there to be a significant seismic event in the Mediterranean, people living along the southern coast of France would have as little as 15 minutes to move to higher ground.
Thanks to its alarm system, evacuation preparations, and scheduled drills, Cannes became the first French city to receive certification from Unesco as ‘Tsunami Ready’ in January 2024.
Tags: France, Tsunami and earthquake detection
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Publish date : 2024-12-26 21:36:00
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