Disturbances in solar activity could wreak havoc on our crucial power and communication systems, raising questions about our preparedness for such events.
Kathryn Schulz reports for The New Yorker.
In short:
- Solar storms pose a threat to technologies fundamental to our economy and safety, mimicking effects similar to those of malicious sabotage.
- The potential for widespread, severe impacts includes damage to satellites, navigation systems, and the power grid, with recovery potentially taking years.
- Efforts to improve space-weather forecasting and infrastructure resilience are ongoing, highlighting the importance of preparedness for high-consequence, low-frequency events.
Key quote:
“A terrorist attack on our grid, an electromagnetic pulse, a natural disaster, a pandemic—if we can figure it out for space weather, we will be better protected from all these other major disruptions.”— Kathryn Draeger, agronomist at the University of Minnesota
Why this matters:
Solar storms have the potential to disrupt virtually every aspect of modern life, from healthcare and transportation to communication and national security. Understanding and preparing for such events is important for minimizing health risks and economic damage on a national and global scale.
