This week, the US government issued a severe geomagnetic storm watch, predicting that five Earth-directed coronal mass ejections and sunspots covering an area 16 times wider than the Earth could disrupt vital technologies. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) warned that the radiation from this solar activity could impact the power grid, satellite communications, and high-frequency radio communications, lasting through the weekend. The geomagnetic storm, classified as G4, could cause significant effects on life on Earth, affecting a range of technologies that society relies on.
The solar activity releases energy from the sun that can impact Earth’s magnetic field, causing fluctuations in the ionosphere. These changes can directly affect satellites and spacecraft in orbit, potentially disrupting their electronics or altering their orientation. Additionally, the changes to the ionosphere can block or degrade radio transmissions passing through the atmosphere, affecting GPS signals used by planes, ships, and the military. Shortwave radio transmissions could also be impacted, affecting emergency management agencies and ham radio operators relying on high-frequency radio waves.
NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center warned that geomagnetic storms could disrupt infrastructure in near-Earth orbit and on Earth’s surface, potentially affecting communication systems, the power grid, navigation, and satellite operations. While cellular networks use different radio frequencies and GPS systems on phones can use a mix of technologies, including cellular tower-based tracking, disruptions may be minimal if the underlying electrical infrastructure remains intact. Researchers have found that extreme space weather events are unlikely to have a significant impact on consumer electronic devices, although some risks to copper cables and telephone lines on land have been noted.
Severe space weather events have the potential to jeopardize power grids, leading to voltage control problems and protective systems tripping key assets from the grid. Historical events, like the blackout in Quebec in 1989 and power outages in Sweden and South Africa in recent years, demonstrate the impact of geomagnetic storms on electrical systems. The largest known geomagnetic storm, the Carrington Event of 1859, caused telegraph stations to spark and catch fire. Despite potential risks, many wireless carriers maintain backup power generators and mobile cellular towers to ensure connectivity during natural disasters or emergencies.
The US government advises the public to prepare for a space weather event similarly to how they would prepare for an extended power outage. While the impact on cellphones this weekend is expected to be minimal unless there are widespread disruptions to the power grid, consumers are encouraged to take precautions to ensure they are prepared for any potential disruptions. Redundancy and resiliency are important aspects of maintaining critical infrastructure, allowing providers to quickly deploy backup systems in case of an emergency. Despite the potential for disruptions, steps can be taken to minimize the impact of severe space weather events on essential technologies relied on by society.
