Val-Cenis: geology and natural hazards

Seismic zone

3 of 5 (moderate)

Radon potential

Category 2 of 3 (low potential, with aggravating factors)

Recognised natural disasters

20 since 1982

Underground cavities recorded

5

Ground movements recorded

9

Risk prevention plans

6

Natural and technological hazards to which the commune is exposed, according to the national GASPAR database.

• Inondation: par une crue à débordement lent de cours d’eau, par une crue torrentielle ou à montée rapide de cours d’eau, par ruissellement et coulée de boue, par lave torrentielle (torrent et talweg)
• Mouvement de terrain: affaissements et effondrements d’origine anthropique (anciennes carrières souterraines, hors mines), eboulement ou chutes de pierres et de blocs, glissement de terrain
• Séisme
• Avalanche
• Phénomène lié à l’atmosphère: neige et pluies verglaçantes
• Rupture de barrage
• Transport de marchandises dangereuses
• Engins de guerre
• Affaissement minier: effondrements généralisés

20 events recognised as a natural disaster by ministerial order since 1982.

• Inondations et/ou coulées de boue: 14
• Avalanche: 4
• Mouvement de terrain: 2
• Lave torrentielle: 1
• Tempête: 1

1. Inondations et/ou coulées de boue

   Event from 03/09/2024 to 04/09/2024, order published in the Journal officiel on 20/12/2024.

2. Inondations et/ou coulées de boue

   Event from 19/06/2024 to 20/06/2024, order published in the Journal officiel on 27/09/2024.

3. Inondations et/ou coulées de boue

   Event from 08/01/2018 to 10/01/2018, order published in the Journal officiel on 01/02/2018.

4. Mouvement de terrain

   Event from 08/01/2018 to 09/01/2018, order published in the Journal officiel on 01/02/2018.

5. Avalanche

   Event on 04/01/2018, order published in the Journal officiel on 05/07/2018.

6. Inondations et/ou coulées de boue

   Event on 14/08/2015, order published in the Journal officiel on 19/11/2015.

7. Inondations et/ou coulées de boue

   Event from 29/05/2008 to 30/05/2008, order published in the Journal officiel on 05/07/2008.

8. Inondations et/ou coulées de boue

   Event from 27/05/2008 to 29/05/2008, order published in the Journal officiel on 05/07/2008.

9. Inondations et/ou coulées de boue

   Event from 14/10/2000 to 15/10/2000, order published in the Journal officiel on 29/12/2000.

10. Inondations et/ou coulées de boue

    Event from 14/10/2000 to 15/10/2000, order published in the Journal officiel on 22/04/2001.

11. Lave torrentielle

    Event on 05/08/1997, order published in the Journal officiel on 30/12/1997.

12. Inondations et/ou coulées de boue

    Event from 25/06/1994 to 26/06/1994, order published in the Journal officiel on 31/01/1995.

13. Inondations et/ou coulées de boue

    Event from 24/09/1993 to 25/09/1993, order published in the Journal officiel on 12/10/1993.

14. Inondations et/ou coulées de boue

    Event from 24/09/1993 to 25/09/1993, order published in the Journal officiel on 24/10/1993.

15. Avalanche

    Event on 27/02/1990, order published in the Journal officiel on 15/12/1990.

16. Avalanche

    Event from 14/02/1990 to 20/02/1990, order published in the Journal officiel on 24/05/1990.

17. Inondations et/ou coulées de boue

    Event on 24/08/1987, order published in the Journal officiel on 11/11/1987.

18. Avalanche

    Event on 09/02/1984, order published in the Journal officiel on 18/10/1985.

19. Inondations et/ou coulées de boue, Mouvement de terrain

    Event from 26/11/1983 to 27/11/1983, order published in the Journal officiel on 26/02/1984.

20. Inondations et/ou coulées de boue, Tempête

    Event from 06/11/1982 to 10/11/1982, order published in the Journal officiel on 19/11/1982.

Seismic zone

Zone 3 of 5: moderate. This regulatory zoning, in force since 2011, sets the rules for earthquake-resistant construction.

Radon potential

Category 2 of 3: low potential, with aggravating factors. Geological features (faults, mine workings, thermal springs) can make it easier for radon to reach buildings. Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that can build up in poorly ventilated rooms.

What BRGM maps say at the town hall. They describe that single point: elsewhere in the commune, the ground may be quite different.

• Shrink-swell clays

• Rising groundwater

• Underground cavities

• Ground movements

• Earthquakes

• Nature of the ground

Recorded across the whole commune by BRGM, in its national databases of underground cavities and ground movements.

5 underground cavities recorded (quarries, cellars, military works, natural cavities…).

9 ground movements recorded (landslides, rockfalls, collapses, mudflows…).

See cavities and ground movements on the map

• PPR Multi-Lanslevillard

  Natural risk prevention plan.

• PPR Multi-Lanslebourg Révisant

  Natural risk prevention plan, under revision.

• PPRi-Maurienne amont

  Natural risk prevention plan.

• PPR Multi-Sollières Sardières

  Natural risk prevention plan.

• PPR Multi-Termignon

  Natural risk prevention plan.

• PPR Multi-Bramans

  Natural risk prevention plan.

The zoning and regulations of each plan, which may prohibit or restrict building, can be consulted at the town hall and on Géorisques.

• Aussois (73)
• Avrieux (73)
• Villarodin-Bourget (73)
• Pralognan-la-Vanoise (73)
• Modane (73)
• Bessans (73)
• Fourneaux (73)
• Freney (73)

Listed hazards, natural disasters, seismic zoning, radon potential, cavities, ground movements and prevention plans: Géorisques, published by the French ministry for the ecological transition, under Licence Ouverte Etalab 2.0, data accessed on 03/11/2026. Summary beneath the town hall: BRGM map services, queried when the page is displayed. List of communes and populations: API Découpage administratif (geo.api.gouv.fr), d’après le code officiel géographique de l’Insee, version of 30/10/2026.

This information reflects the state of knowledge at the scale of the commune or of a single point. It replaces neither a soil survey nor the official risk statement (état des risques) required for a sale or a rental, which is drawn up on the official French government service.