Geo Magnetic Storm
Articles
Danger:
Geomagnetic Storms: When Space Weather Reaches the Ground
A geomagnetic storm is a disturbance in the Earth's magnetosphere caused by solar wind shocks or by coronal mass ejections (CMEs), which are clouds of magnetic field structures thrown off by the sun. The danger of geo magnetic storms lies in what they do to the technology families lean on every day.
- Power grids: Storms induce geomagnetically induced currents (GICs) in power lines that can overload transformers. The 1989 storm that blacked out Quebec showed how fast a grid can go dark.
- Communications: Satellite operations, GPS signals and high-frequency radio can all be degraded, from airline navigation to the map on your phone.
- Pipelines and industry: Induced currents can speed corrosion in oil and gas pipelines and upset the precision electronics used in manufacturing.
Who Should Pay Attention
Every household that runs on grid power and a cell signal has a stake in space weather. It matters most to families in rural or remote areas who rely on radio and satellite links for emergency services. It matters to anyone with medical equipment that needs electricity. It also matters to preppers building plans for a long term outage.
Where to Start Reading
Our guide to solar flare preparedness covers how to get your home and family ready before the sun acts up. Read it to turn a distant space event into a plan you can put in place this weekend.
Why a Geomagnetic Storm Matters to Your Family
A geomagnetic storm shows up in the systems your household uses without a second thought. Think of the lights, the furnace fan, the fridge, and the phone that finds your location and calls for help. When the grid and communications falter together, a family can lose power and its usual way to learn what is happening at the same time.
Space weather is watched closely, and the preparedness that carries you through a solar event also carries you through any long outage. Our guide to getting ready for a solar flare walks you through the how.
