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Tens of thousands of houses are threatened by erosion in the next few decades. In Criel-sur-Mer, several houses have already fallen victim to erosion.
The 3,000-person village of Criel-sur-Mer in Normandy is located on the spectacular Alabaster Coast with its 100-meter-high chalk cliffs.
The community’s problem: it loses 30 centimeters of rock per year and has to expect larger rock falls at any time. The last one was a few months ago – a house has been uninhabitable since then.
Legend:
Close to the abyss: a house in the French municipality of Criel-sur-Mer.
SRF/Mirjam Mathis
Erosion is a big issue in the community. Mayor Alain Trouessin has to decide which houses are at risk.
He is trying to prepare the population for the fact that the rock will gradually fall victim to erosion – and with it the houses on the coast. «For a long time, people believed that they were stronger than nature. They poured concrete, went there and intervened. But at some point the sea still comes. We can not do anything about it.”
The mayor is planning a retreat inland. According to calculations, 32 houses in Criel-sur-Mer will have to be demolished in the next 50 years, and 70 in 100 years. The residents have to be protected and therefore expropriated if their house is too close to the abyss, says Trouessin.
The population is aware of the phenomenon – and is concerned: “Rock falls are becoming more and more common. I still knew houses on the other side of the street. Today these houses no longer exist and neither does the street,” says Jean-Pierre Cellier. He owns an apartment a little further away from the ledge.
Tens of thousands of houses affected by 2100
Nadine Bry lives with her husband only around 30 meters from the abyss. She is aware of the risk, but according to estimates it will take around 50 years before erosion makes her house uninhabitable: “In 50 years we won’t be there anymore anyway. I enjoy the great view of the sea every day and am not afraid of the future.”
Coastal erosion is a problem throughout France. Estimates suggest that 13,000 to 47,000 apartments will be affected by the end of the century. 208 communities were entered into a state register because of erosion problems.
Legend:
Criel-sur-Mer is not alone: 208 municipalities in France are struggling with coastal erosion.
SRF/Mirjam Mathis
How quickly the erosion progresses depends on various factors, says Stéphane Costa, geo-morphologist at the French University of Caen: “The cliffs are hollowed out by the movement of the sea and thus erode. In addition, rock collapses occur when, for example, rainwater seeps into the ground and freezes.”
Leave more space for nature
Erosion also exists on the beaches, but these can alternate with phases of deposition: “The beaches are in constant movement. However, as sea levels rise, they are likely to migrate further inland or disappear.”
The main problem, according to the specialist: Previously, people had built too close to the coast and interfered too much with nature.