Power outages lasting for months and disrupted global communications are just part of the forecasted “global Katrina” that could push the limits to our ability to adapt in the age of technology. The U.K. Daily Mail (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1359136/Global-Katrina-Biggest-solar-storm-cause-power-cuts-MONTHS.html) paints a sobering portrait of a world rocked by a solar storm that spews radiation and magnetic flux onto a planet dependent on electronics gear that is sensitive to such solar activity.
Phone systems, satellites, radio transmitters, and avionics represent just some of the key technology areas that would be affected by a solar storm.
Earth overdue
Scientists say that it’s about time for the earth to experience some of the sun’s fury because of how the sun’s cycle is lining up to Earth. According to the article, the sun has already unleashed plasma toward the earth, creating interesting colors in the sky and challenging radio communications.
The U.K. science advisor, Sir John Beddington is quoted by the Daily Mail as he observes that the earth has more sensitive electronics in use now than ever before, meaning that the planet could be in for some devastating repercussions while the sun acts up.
Ten years ago, when there were not nearly as many GPS devices, cell phones, satellites, and electronics in use, the earth got through a tough solar cycle with minimal damage. This time around, may not go as well. Now, electronics items are everywhere and rely on a variety of wired and wireless networks to operate. Additionally, power grids are susceptible to solar storms, potentially leaving vast regions of the planet without electricity for weeks at a time.
Although nothing can be done to stop solar storms, Beddington has called for new initiatives to predict them so that the world will not be caught off guard when trouble happens.
Serious damage
According to the Financial Times (http://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/Scientists-warn-2-000bn-solar-ftimes-441682515.html?x=0), losses due to solar activity could amount to $2 trillion or more before the current solar cycle ends. Solar flare-ups act like an electromagnetic pulse and can easily neutralize a range of power and communications infrastructure. If they come in too close proximity to the earth.
The American Association for the Advancement of Science meets this week to discuss solar activity and the threats it represents for the earth. In 1859, solar storms knocked out much of the telegraph systems that were in place at the time: a storm of similar size would have a much more severe impact today because of the advanced devices now in use.
Although the period of maximum solar activity is just around the corner, doom is far from certain. Still, it does everyone good to be aware of the potential for problems and find ways to predict them so people can have time to prepare.
