A series of minor earthquakes have rattled the Côte d’Azur region of France, notably impacting the area surrounding Nice on March 18, 2025. The first earthquake, registering a magnitude of 4.1, struck at 6:45 PM, causing significant alarm among residents but, fortunately, no reported injuries or damages.
The epicenter of the initial quake was pinpointed to be 6 km northeast of Carros, with an approximate altitude of 700 meters. Just hours later, at 10:24 PM, a second tremor was felt—a 3.7 magnitude aftershock that added to the unease felt by locals.
Christian Estrosi, the Mayor of Nice, took to social media, stating, “Aucun blessé mais de nombreux appels reçus par les services de secours,” indicating that while there were a lot of calls to emergency services, thankfully no one was hurt. The city’s officials quickly assured the public that there were no structural damages reported, which provided some comfort to the shaken residents.
The earthquake's shockwaves were felt across a broad area, even extending into parts of Italy. Many locals described the experience as overwhelming and disconcerting. Florent, a young resident living in the Cimiez neighborhood, recounted, “D'un coup, tout a tremblé. J'étais dans le couloir, je marchais. Les murs, la plante et les meubles ont commencé à bouger (...) C'était très fort,” illustrating the intensity of the quake as he felt the very ground beneath him shaking.
Others shared their statements through various social media platforms reflecting their anxiety and confusion. One resident mentioned that the quake made her “feel the building lower and rise, tremble in all directions” during the chaos. As Clara and her mother Laëtitia were conversing at home in Cagnes-sur-Mer, they experienced moments of sheer panic, thinking that their home might collapse.
Amidst this shock, the public was reminded to be vigilant and avoid flooding emergency lines with non-urgent issues. The Alpes-Maritimes department urged residents to “suivre les consignes” and not to clog emergency services with unnecessary calls. This proactive stance was echoed by the Protection civile, which stressed the importance of remaining calm and following safety directions.
Additional aftershocks were reported on the same day, registering 1.9 shortly after the initial quake and another minor tremor at 0.9, confirming the geological activity in the region. Despite the few unsettling shocks throughout the evening, experts labeled these occurrences as “habitual,” reinforcing that such minor earthquakes and aftershocks can happen during seismic events in the area.
As aftershocks and minor tremors continued to be tracked by the Réseau national de surveillance sismique, officials restated the absence of any tsunami risks linked to these quakes. In response, the Alpes-Maritimes prefecture sought to assuage fears, proclaiming, “Pas de risque de tsunami,” further encouraging the public by emphasizing that no significant impact on infrastructure was expected.
Witness messages flooded social media during and after the earthquakes, showcasing how residents came together, sharing their experiences and encouraging each other. Many found humor in the situation, using witty remarks about their fears of not having earthquake insurance or reminiscing about earthquake drills conducted in schools. These social interactions highlighted the community's resilience even in the face of natural disasters.
In conclusion, the recent earthquakes in the Côte d’Azur region have reminded the residents of the natural forces that shape their environment. While the effects were quickly felt and dealt with, the solidarity amongst neighbors, the quick actions of local authorities, and the robust communication through social media played essential roles in maintaining security and calm. As the region moves forward, the experiences shared will undoubtedly strengthen the community’s preparedness for future seismic activities.
