Data shows that around 2,300 tremors are detected in this area each year.
Metropolitan France is not perceived as a country at major seismic risk, but it experiences constant tectonic activity, reflecting movements of the earth’s crust. This activity is manifested by thousands of earthquakes each year, most often of very low intensity and imperceptible to the population. These phenomena reflect geological constraints and the presence of active faults, mainly concentrated in mountain ranges and certain coastal regions. Far from being alarming, this seismicity is a normal element of the geology of the territory and remains closely monitored by scientific organizations.
In France, a city stands out for its particularly high frequency of tremors. Located in a zone of moderate seismicity, this city experiences more sustained seismic activity than the national average. Data shows that around 2,300 tremors are detected each year in this area, which represents an astonishing average of 6 to 7 tremors per day, reports the site Earthquakelist.org, a platform listing all earthquakes occurring around the world.
The vast majority of these events are of very low magnitude (often less than 4) and are very rarely felt by residents. During stronger shaking, some may notice a slight tremor, especially on high floors or old buildings. The city in question is Nice, located in the heart of a geologically complex region crossed by several active faults. Among them, the Tinée fault is one of the most significant in the Alpes-Maritimes.
It contributes, with other structures such as the Moyenne-Côte fault, to the tectonic activity of the area. Classified in zone 4 (average seismicity level), Nice is therefore naturally subject to these daily micro-earthquakes, a reflection of the tectonic activity of the Alps.
This daily seismic activity remains, for the most part, without consequences for residents and infrastructure. For an earthquake to cause significant damage, its magnitude must generally be greater than 4.5 or 5 on the Richter scale. Around Nice, earthquakes of magnitude 4 or greater are rare (around two per year within a 300 km radius). In addition, the seismic construction standards applied in this moderate zone help to minimize risks. The people of Nice therefore live with constant seismic activity, but without feeling it.
