The very largest solar storms have the potential for simultaneously
destroying key elements of the electrical power grid infrastructure. These elements are unique, expensive and have
long lead times (greater than 1 year) for replacement.
I've read some fiction novels about what would happen if a solar flare impacted the earth and blew out all of the electricity. None of them mention nuclear reactors. Having an underground bunker is sounding more and more inviting.
In 1859 several telegraph operators were electrocuted and the telegraph paper in the machines caught fire due to an emp from a solar flare.Also burned up miles of electric lines and telegraph cables.
So the possibility is very real,especially when the sun is peaking it's 13 year solar cycle and reverses it's magnetic poles.
Here is a sample list of other events:
In 1859, what was to become known as the Carrington Effect.
The major solar flare that erupted on Aug. 4, 1972 knocked out long-distance phone communication across some states, including Illinois, according to a NASA account. "That event, in fact, caused AT&T to redesign its power system for transatlantic cables," NASA wrote in the account.
March 13, 1989 Canada experienced a major disruption of electricity for 9 hours
July 14, 2000, The Bastille Day event caused some satellites to short-circuit and led to some radio blackouts. It remains one of the most highly observed solar storm events and was the most powerful flare since 1989.
October 28, 2003, an X45 Class Solar Flare was detected but did not hit Earth. This was part of 9 Major Solar Flares at the time.
Dec. 5, 2006, it registered a powerful X9 on the space weather scale. This storm from the sun "disrupted satellite-to-ground communications and Global Positioning System (GPS) navigation signals for about 10 minutes," according to a NASA description. The sun storm was so powerful it actually damaged the solar X-ray imager instrument on the GOES 13 satellite that snapped its picture, NOAA officials said.
May 13-14, 2013, X3.2 Class SF were detected but did not hit the Earth directly. Effects included slight disruption of communications
On the average of 11 years, it does happen and it does have an effect on us. Let's just pray that massive solar flares and CMEs happen on a side away from our planet.
Absolutely,and yes my bad (11yr cycle,not 13),but you are right,we are hit all the time by small ones that usually only amounts to a little satellite disruptions or a little static for a second on the cell phone.We've been hit,in modern history,quite a few times by large ones and can count on it to happen again.The size and class will dictate just how bad one will be.
A Lead-lined underground bunker would be good
It was raining all night and half of the day here.Seems we are getting a lot of sun activity now.
LOLIt was raining all night and half of the day here.
LOL
This meant Solar Activity...
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