Are the volcanoes in central France still active?

Reader Question: I know that there are volcanoes in France, but are they actually at risk of erupting? Does it affect property prices in the area?

France’s Massif Central mountain range and the Auvergne historical region contain several dormant volcanoes, including the Chaîne des Puys, Europe’s largest collection of volcanoes. 

All volcanoes in France have been dormant for a very long time. 

While some have not erupted for millions of years, most have gone over 100,000 without erupting. 

The most recent eruption was in the Chaîne des Puys in around 5,000 BC. meaning it has been 7,000 years since any eruption in mainland France.

France’s volcanoes are all dormant, and indeed one of the largest cities in central France, Clermont-Ferrand, is within sight of the volcanoes. 

Several other smaller towns and villages in the area thrive on volcano-related activities and tourism, as well as the breathtaking scenery the dormant volcanoes offer. 

Unlike volcanic activity, earthquakes are far more common in France, with thousands of tremors recorded per year. 

However, these rarely cause damage or injury.

There is little change to property prices on the basis of possibly catastrophic but highly unlikely natural disasters such as volcanic eruptions, deadly earthquakes, and Mediterranean tsunamis. 

What you may see in these other areas – but not in the shadow of the volcanoes – are higher insurance costs, especially in parts of the country that have a tendency to face natural disasters (droughts, flooding, storms, etc). 

Recent recordings of activity in the volcanoes

Despite the lack of activity in the last 7,000 years, the volcanoes of central France are not declared extinct but have the potential to be active, meaning any future eruption has not been ruled out.

Recently there have been recordings of unusual seismic activity in the Massif Central, which indicates the presence of magma deep below the volcanoes. 

While this magma is over 25km underground, this still indicates a potential return of activity to the chain. 

The report made up the early findings of a five-year study (fully funded by a state research agency) to further record the activity between 2023 and 2028.

While the activity does not point to an imminent return, it does show that the potential for further eruptions is there. 

“It would be a serious anomaly if volcanic activity did not one day resume in Auvergne,” said geologist Guillaume Boudoire to media outlet JDN. 

“We need to find out whether this magma has been there for 7,000 years or whether it's more recent. We need to measure what consequences this may have for the future,” he added. 

At this point, however, there is little likelihood of an imminent eruption, and there will more than likely be ample warning of increased activity before an explosion happens.