If a geomagnetic storm similar to the Carrington event were to occur today, it would have unforeseen consequences.
Recently, the claim that a severe solar storm could cause a global internet outage has surfaced in several places on social media, he writes. Indy 100. Since the Internet today is an important tool for civilization, in addition to entertainment it also helps in management, such an event will have unexpected consequences.
Earlier, many experts had drawn public attention to the dangers of solar storms. Sangeetha Abdu Jyotiof the University of California, Irvine, for example, predicted in 2021 that a catastrophic event could occur within ten years.
Researchers have long known that our star’s activity can affect Earth and our species’ technology. Charged particles from the sun, which can be released for example by flares, can form a geomagnetic storm when they reach the planet. Such events can damage technology such as satellites and power grids.
This phenomenon is not unprecedented. The strongest geomagnetic storm in history was documented in 1859, during the Carrington event, many telegraph stations began to pop up, and one even caught fire.
Solar activity follows an approximately 11-year cycle with periods of quieter and more active activity. We can reach the current peak in 2025. Experts don’t know the exact processes, and predicting space weather isn’t easy. NASA is constantly monitoring our star to learn more about its work, with the help of, among other things, the Parker Solar Probe.
If a geomagnetic storm similar to the Carrington event were to occur today, it would have very serious effects on humanity. This event will cause a worldwide blackout, with consequences lasting for months. Experts believe healthcare services and supply chains, among other things, will be at risk.
