Tsunami risk and identifying places of refuge: application to the Nice coastline (Alpes-Maritimes, France)

International audienceIn the context of a possible increase in the number of tsunamis in the Mediterranean area and the rising vulnerability of coastal cities, the UNESCO Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission calls for preparing for such sudden events. In continental France, the threat of coastal flooding by tsunami is real, especially in the southeastern part of the Mediterranean area, where at least three events were observed in 1564, 1887 and 1979 that affected coastal areas and populations. To carry out this research work, we have focused on the historical tsunami of 1887 triggered by the earthquake occurred in the Liguria Sea on 23 February. In this particular case, the tsunami’s arrival time to the coastline was very short (a few minutes), rendering any warning system ineffective. Analyzing vulnerability and resilience is paramount to mitigate the impact on the people. Therefore, we have identified and suggested a number of potential shelters for the most exposed population, namely the people present on the beaches at that time, in the event of spontaneous evacuation. These places of refuge contribute (but are not the only elements) to building population resilience during the disaster phase