Contrary to the common belief that the Mediterranean Sea has a low risk of tsunamis, scientists have issued serious warnings. New modeling and historical data confirm that devastating tsunamis can occur in areas such as the French Riviera, potentially causing significant damage to coastal regions. According to UNESCO, there is a possibility of a tsunami exceeding one meter in height occurring in the Mediterranean Sea within the next 30 years. Since the 16th century, waves over two meters high have been recorded approximately 20 times along the French Riviera.
The biggest challenge with tsunamis is their extremely short time frame. Especially when a submarine landslide or earthquake occurs close to the coast, the first wave can reach the shore in less than 10 minutes, rendering conventional warning systems ineffective. While France’s national warning system, operational since 2012, can issue tsunami alerts within 15 minutes following distant earthquakes, it is insufficient for locally generated tsunamis.
Therefore, coastal populations need to recognize natural warning signs themselves, such as feeling an earthquake or witnessing a sudden retreat of seawater. Scientists have identified high-risk zones along the French Mediterranean coast where elevations are less than five meters and within 200 meters of the sea. During summer, millions of tourists visit these areas, making emergency rescue efforts more challenging. In response, a special rescue strategy has been developed for the Nice region in collaboration with Montpellier University. This plan includes nearly 100 shelter locations and mapped pedestrian routes to assist people in reaching safe areas quickly and securely.
