Seismic zoning in Pays de la Loire

Since 22 October 2010, France has had a new seismic zoning dividing the national territory into five zones of increasing seismicity depending on the probability of occurrence of earthquakes (Articles R563-1 to R563-8 of the Environmental Code amended by Decrees No 2010-1254 of 22 October 2010 and No 2010-1255 of 22 October 2010, as well as by the Decree of 22 October 2010):

• a seismicity zone 1 where there is no special seismic requirement for buildings of normal risk (the seismic hazard associated with this area is described as very low),
• four seismic zones 2 to 5, where seismic construction rules apply to new buildings, and old buildings under special conditions.

The new seismic construction rules and the new seismic zoning (amending sections 563-1 to 8 of the Environmental Code) will come into force on May 1, 2011.

For more information: visit the site “earthquake plan” (‘http://www.planseisme.fr/Zonage-sismique-de-la-France.html’)