Tsunami Risk Assessment and Mitigation on French Coasts in the Mainland and Overseas Departments Territories and Countries

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Tsunami Risk Assessment and Mitigation on French Coasts in the Mainland and Overseas Departments Territories and Countries

Mr Roland Courteau’s report provided on behalf of the Parliamentary Office for Assessing Scientific and Technological Choices
no 117 (2007‐2008) ‐ 7 December 2007

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While the tsunamis recorded in the Indian Ocean account for only 5 % of the total, the 26 December 2004 Sumatra disaster was a reminder that no coastland is exempt from this hazard and although tsunami frequency is low, such events can have dramatic consequences.

This study aims at assessing the actual risk for French Coasts, whether in the Mediterranean, Pacific, West Indies or Indian Ocean, and examining the action taken to mitigate the effects.

In 2005, France committed itself through the Intergovernmental Oceanography Commission to help set up tsunami early-warning systems. The initial momentum was lost, however, which led the country into not completely fulfilling its international obligations. France’s recent interest in hosting a Mediterranean tsunami early-warning centre may foreshadow a strategic vision in tsunami risk management that is appropriate in scale to the safety, economic and geostrategic issues that such an early-warning centre points to.

Cf also :
  • other work by the Parliamentary Office for Assessing Scientific and Technological Choices
  • documents related to the main issues raised by the report :
    Police and Safety: Legislative Work ‐ Information Reports ‐ Working Documents Environment: Legislative Work ‐ Information Reports ‐ Working Documents
    Research, Science and Technology: Legislative Work ‐ Information Reports ‐ Working Documents
    Overseas Territories etc: Legislative Work ‐ Information Reports ‐ Working Documents