A devastating solar storm could devastate planet Earth and change it forever. A real nightmare scenario.
What could happen if we have to deal with one solar storm of strong unity?
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Ranging from emails to social networks and ending with instant messaging applications, we have so many services available thanks to which we can communicate with friends and relatives at any time, even geographically far away from us. Playing an important role in all of this therefore includes, for example Internet as it allows you to connect.
Incidentally, the same applies to electricity, which proves to be necessary for the various devices to work. Especially in a context like the current one, the risk of having to deal with it is worrying devastating solar storm which could cause great harm to our planet. So let’s go into the details and see what to expect.
Solar storm could change the world forever everything you need to know
A while ago we already talked about the possibility that a great solar storm can cause one global blackout of internet network due to the vulnerability of repeaters used in submarine cables. A pure hypothesis should be emphasized that the probability that such a solar storm will occur in the next few decades is between 1.6 and 12%.
Well, in this context, we recall that theCarrington Eventwhich took place between September 1st and 2nd, 1859, proved to be the largest solar storm never taken by humans. The technology back then was of course different from today’s, but even then it had to contend with not inconsiderable repercussions.
Suffice it to say that the telegraph lines were down for 14 hours. It is therefore easy to imagine how an event of this magnitude would lead to having to deal with even larger problems. Not just electrical faults, but communication interrupted worldwide. In fact, the satellites could be damaged, which could lead to interruptions in satellite telephony, but also in Internet, radio and television.
Solar Storm Could Change the World Forever: What to Expect
As explained by the professor David Wallace, professor of electrical engineering at Mississippi State University, as the conversation suggests, “Geomagnetic storms create induced currents that flow through the power grid. The geomagnetically induced currents, which can exceed a hundred amperes, flow into the electrical components connected to the grid, such as transformers, relays and sensors.
Then he added: “One hundred amperes is the electricity supply for many homes. Currents of this magnitude can cause internal damage to components, leading to widespread power outages“.
A real nightmare scenario that could cause billions of dollars in damages for every day of disruption in communications. Nothing to worry about, at least for now. The chances of experiencing a devastating solar storm in the next few years are good low.
At the same time, you should not be caught unprepared, as many scholars try to make the various systems as resilient as possible. So try to avoid this in futurehaving to deal with big problems.