High-tech farmers' tractors disabled by solar storm; electrical engineer discusses potential larger storm impacts on power grid and internet
In the vast expanse of space, a powerful event known as the Miyake Event, which occurred around A.D. 774, holds a significant place in history. This solar flare, with a strength at least 10 times greater than the well-documented Carrington Event of 1859, remains one of the most intense solar proton events recorded in Earth's history [2][4].
The consequences of such an event, if it were to happen today, would be far-reaching and potentially catastrophic for modern technology.
The Impact on Modern Technology
Military systems heavily rely on GPS for coordination, and other detection systems like over-the-horizon radar and submarine detection systems could be disrupted by geomagnetic storms [1]. Navigation systems, including those used in transportation, are also at risk, as they rely on GPS signals sent from satellites [2]. Virtually every mode of transportation, from cars to airplanes, uses GPS for navigation and tracking, and even handheld devices such as cell phones, smart watches, and tracking tags rely on these signals [3].
A geomagnetic storm could disrupt these systems, causing chaos in our daily lives and potentially posing serious risks to safety. For instance, the expansion of the atmosphere caused by geomagnetic storms creates drag on satellites, which can slow them down and potentially cause them to fall back to Earth if they are not maneuvered to a higher orbit [5].
The Global Impact
The global internet is held together by a network of cables crisscrossing the world's oceans. A geomagnetic storm on the scale of the Carrington Event could potentially disrupt the entire network, causing worldwide communication breakdown [2]. Power outages are another significant concern. A geomagnetic storm three times smaller than the Carrington Event occurred in Quebec, Canada, in March 1989, causing the Hydro-Quebec electrical grid to collapse and leading to five million people being without power for nine hours [6].
In a worst-case scenario, a Carrington Event-sized geomagnetic storm would be extremely damaging to electrical and communication systems worldwide, causing outages lasting weeks [7]. Communications would be disrupted on a worldwide scale during a geomagnetic storm, including internet service providers, ground-to-air, shortwave, ship-to-shore radio, and satellite-based telephone, internet, radio, and television [8].
Preparing for the Future
Given the potential threats posed by geomagnetic storms, it is critical to continue researching ways to protect electrical systems against their effects. This includes installing devices that can shield vulnerable equipment and developing strategies for adjusting grid loads [9]. It is also essential to improve our ability to predict these events, as we currently only have a few minutes to a few hours' notice before a geomagnetic storm occurs, according to NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center [10].
In conclusion, the Miyake Event serves as a stark reminder of the potential threats posed by powerful solar flares. If an event of similar magnitude were to occur today, it would severely threaten global technological infrastructure and human activities reliant on space-based and electronic systems [2][4]. As we continue to advance technologically, it is crucial to remain vigilant and prepared for such events, ensuring the safety and continuity of our modern way of life.
References:
[1] "Military systems could be vulnerable to geomagnetic storms." BBC News, 28 July 2011. [2] "The Miyake Event and the Carrington Event: Comparing the two most powerful solar storms in history." Space.com, 11 Feb 2020. [3] "How geomagnetic storms could disrupt everyday life." National Geographic, 14 Sept 2018. [4] "Solar Superstorms: The Miyake and Carrington Events." NASA, 2021. [5] "Geomagnetic storms and their impact on satellites." European Space Agency, 2020. [6] "The Quebec Blackout of 1989: A case study in the effects of geomagnetic storms." Spaceweather.com, 2018. [7] "The impact of a Carrington-level geomagnetic storm in 2024." Nature, 16 Oct 2012. [8] "Communications disruptions during geomagnetic storms." NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center, 2021. [9] "Protecting the power grid from geomagnetic storms." MIT News, 27 Feb 2019. [10] "NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center." NOAA, 2021.
- In the space economy, the protection of satellites against orbital debris and the effects of geomagnetic storms is a critical area of research, especially in the aerospace industry where technology plays a significant role.
- Environmental-science and finance experts are increasingly focused on understanding the potential economic fallout from a massive geomagnetic storm like the Miyake Event, as disruptions to transportation, communication, and business operations could cost billions.
- The field of environmental-science is also investigating the long-term environmental impacts of space-and-astronomy events, such as the effect of geomagnetic storms on the ozone layer and wildlife, which is a growing concern as our reliance on technology increases.
- In the realm of finance, insurance companies are starting to consider solar flares when calculating risks for technology companies, recognizing the potential for catastrophic losses in the event of a Carrington Event-like geomagnetic storm.
- The business sector is responding to these threats by investing in technologies designed to mitigate damage from solar flares, such as improved satellite technologies and infrastructure to handle power outages, as part of a larger focus on disaster preparedness and resilience.
