Small earthquake felt in southern France over the weekend
‘I thought it was a plane or an explosion at the airport’
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A minor earthquake was felt in parts of southern France on Saturday, July 11, with people reporting a brief shake and a ‘shocking’ noise.
The tremor was recorded near the commune of Cers, in the Hérault department, close to Béziers Cap d'Agde Airport. It struck at 19:45 and measured magnitude 2.6, with an epicentre near Cers and a depth of around 5km.
Residents in Cers, Béziers, Vias and Portiragnes reported feeling the short-lived vibration. "The house literally shook from side to side, a strange feeling," one resident told France 3.
Others said on social media that the sound was so noticeable that they initially thought it was an explosion or a low-flying aircraft.
The town of Cers reassured people that while the tremor was surprising, earthquakes of this magnitude usually have no consequences. This means that these earthquakes are weak enough to not cause any structural damage.
Although seismic activity occurs across mainland France, earthquakes above magnitude 5 are relatively uncommon. No injuries or damages have been reported.
If you feel a tremor anywhere in France, you can check recent seismic activity on the official France Séisme website, operated by the BCSF-Rénass national monitoring network. The site lists earthquakes across mainland France, including their magnitude, location and time.
Residents can also consult the French government's Tous responsables emergency preparedness guide which includes practical advice on what to do during earthquakes and other natural disasters, as well as recommendations on preparing a 72-hour emergency kit.
