Assessment of earthquake hazards in France with special reference to remote sensing data

Seismotectonic mapping is considered as the basis of analysis of seismic hazards and earthquake forecasting. It requires a correlation of a large range of data. The map prepared in France is the synthesis of six thematic maps (especially an instrumental, and macroseismic map), whose characteristics are given. However, emphasis is put on lineaments from satellite imagery, whose significance is discussed. They should be considered as an important element of a multidisciplinary approach to the evaluation of seismic hazards. Provided a given interpretation procedure is used, lineaments are an important contribution to solving neotectonic problems and to detecting possible active faults, especially when fair correlations with epicenters exist. A certain coherence already appears with the distribution of stress fields. These results encourage field controls and seismological monitoring.