Solar Storm Can Destroy The Earth’s Technology

Like any star, the Sun is a moody one. And it seems that humanity’s technological evolution is at its mercy. Solar storms can severely disrupt and even destroy our way of living every 25 years, and toy with it every six years.

A Massive Solar Storm Can Destroy The Earth’s Technology

Scientists from the University of Warwick and the British Antarctic Survey came with a paper that reveals concerning results. They investigated the last 150 years of solar storm activity and identified two types of magnetic storms. The great superstorm is the devastating kind and seems to occur every 25 years. The severe superstorm is kinder but has the power to disrupt life as we know it.

Unfortunately, little is known about the Sun, and the space weather, so the storms can’t be predicted. We’ve been witnessed these storms over the centuries. In 1859, the Carrington Event proved to be a great solar storm.

It is estimated that, if it were to occur today, it would cause billions, possibly even trillions of dollars, worth of damage. Also, in 1989, in Quebec, a solar storm disrupted the power distribution system and created auroras so powerful that were seen as far the state of Texas.

What is a solar storm?

Sun has its moods, and when it does, it sends charged particles into space. With the help of a high-speed stream of solar wind that can travel twice as fast as the average solar wind, the particles touch Earth’s magnetosphere. The impact ends up in a storm — Of the geomagnetic kind.

Our power distribution systems and our global communications systems are both electronically linked. These powerful storms can cause power blackouts, disrupt electronic equipment, communication equipment, disrupt aviation equipment, power grids, and damage satellites.

They can cause temporary loss of GPS signals and radio communications, thus disabling the bank system. Power seems to be the inherent vice there because Sun’s energy can overcome our artificial kind of power.