The Natural Disasters of France

  Volcanoes       There is over 18 holocene volcanoes located in France. Holocene volcanoes are volcanoes that were active at least in the last 11,700 years. These type of volcanoes can be either a volcano that is not erupting right now (dormant) or could erupt in the future (active). There are active volcanoes in French territory in the Pacific and Indian Ocean. Eruptions may occur such as possibly 173 volcanoes in the next 350 years although it wont be much of an impact. Volcanoes can spew hot, lava, ash, dangerous gases, and rocks that can be destructive. The blast itself from the volcano can kill many people. Volcanoes can also cause additional warnings to health such as floods, power outages, mudslides, wildfires, and drinking water contamination.     The most effective volcano in France was Mount Pelée on May 8 of 1902 which had a death toll of more than 29,000 people and destroyed the city of Saint Pierre and was considered the deadliest eruptio...

 Earthquake Catastrophes & Seismicity A seismicity is the occurrence and/or frequency of an earthquake in a region. The frequency of earthquakes located in France is average. Due to the size of France, earthquakes occur very rarely.  Although, the east of the country Alsace, Jura, Alps, the South - East - Alpes - Maritimes, Provence and the Pyrenees are more to be worried. Seismically, the most active regions are located Overseas of France. Such as, New Caledonia, Martinique, Guadeloupe, Wallis and Futuna and Reunion. As of 1950, at least 10 people died directly due to earthquake disasters.  France had began a national plan for disaster management including for infrastructure and flood protection.  7,700 municipalities in hazard prone areas have created local plans for disaster prevention. France has also strengthened its urban planning codes, which incorporate disaster prevention and risk reduction as key elements. They began this plan because of the Xynthia sto...

  Plate Tectonics of France             There is at least 7 major plate tectonics around the world.  Such as, African, Antarctic, Eurasian, Indo-Australian, North American, Pacific and South American. A theory of plate tectonics is that they cause mountain building, volcanoes, and earthquakes around the world.  France is atop the Eurasian tectonic plate which abuts South to the African plate. Between the Eurasian and the African plate, the boundary is difficult and includes smaller plate fragment numbers; microplates.           The movements cause the blocks of earth to collide and condense France in different directions. The Eurasian and Indian plates are to continental crusts colliding and buckling (convergent plate margin), forming the Himalayas. Secondary hazards caused by earthquakes include tsunamis, liquefaction and landslides. Floods, landslides and storms often occur in France as well. In South-East...