Tech at Risk from Solar Storms: What You Should Know

In 1989, Quebec, Canada, faced an unexpected crisis when a geomagnetic storm caused a massive power outage. This event, which left six million people without electricity for nine hours, is often referred to as “the day the sun brought darkness.” It highlights the potential consequences of solar activity on contemporary technologies and our lack of preparedness for severe solar storms.

Solar storms occur as a result of a process called magnetic reconnection, where the Sun’s rotation causes its magnetic fields to twist and intertwine. As the Sun undergoes its 11-year solar cycle, pressure from these fields builds up. Eventually, they break and rejoin, resulting in energy and plasma being expelled from the Sun’s surface into space. Although these storms are not visible to the naked eye, they can significantly impact Earth’s magnetic field. While responsible for the stunning aurora borealis, solar storms also pose a serious threat to our technological infrastructure.

There are three primary types of solar storms. Solar flares represent intense bursts of light and radiation, capable of releasing energy equivalent to a billion hydrogen bombs. These flares reach Earth’s atmosphere in just eight minutes. Radiation storms consist of charged particles that travel through the solar system, arriving at Earth within about half an hour. The most substantial events, coronal mass ejections (CMEs), are large clouds of magnetized plasma. Each of these solar phenomena can disrupt Earth’s magnetic field, leading to geomagnetic storms that threaten power grids, interfere with communication systems, and even compromise global internet infrastructure.

To understand the effects of solar storms on technology, it’s essential to grasp the basics of geomagnetism. When a solar storm reaches Earth, its charged particles interact with the magnetosphere, the protective magnetic region surrounding our planet. This interaction temporarily alters the atomic and magnetic structure of the atmosphere, disrupting its magnetic fields, electrical currents, and plasma.

These disturbances can be categorized into three types. Coronal mass ejections can trigger geomagnetic storms, which induce geomagnetically induced currents (GICs) that flow along Earth’s magnetic field lines to the poles, where they can penetrate the atmosphere and disrupt technological systems. Intense solar winds can also lead to geomagnetic storms, while radiation storms send highly charged protons along these magnetic lines, pushing radiation deeper into the atmosphere. Solar flares can cause radio blackouts through a process called ionization, where charged particles collide with atmospheric molecules, displacing electrons and altering radio frequency paths.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) rates solar storms on a scale from one (minor) to five (extreme). While solar activity is frequent, most storms rank low on this scale. For example, minor storms can occur nearly 3,000 times during an 11-year cycle, but fewer than five extreme storms are expected in that timeframe. Historically, even the most significant storms recorded are dwarfed by their ancient counterparts. Next, let’s examine which technologies are most vulnerable to these solar events.

The infamous Quebec blackout serves as a stark reminder of how strong solar storms can disrupt power grids worldwide. When geomagnetically induced currents penetrate electrical infrastructure, they can overheat transformers, relays, and sensors, causing widespread outages. Replacing a significant number of transformers is not only costly but also time-consuming, often taking years to complete. geomagnetic currents can overload transmission lines and damage the control systems that manage power grids, leading to long-term wear on electrical components and insulation.

Not all power grids face equal risk from solar storms. Geographical factors significantly influence the susceptibility of grids. Geomagnetic storms tend to be more severe at higher latitudes, with polar regions experiencing the most intense disruptions. For example, in 2003, Sweden suffered a partial power outage due to heightened geomagnetic activity. Soil resistivity also plays a crucial role; areas with high conductivity are particularly vulnerable. For instance, arctic regions between 55 and 70 degrees latitude are at increased risk due to their altitude and soil characteristics.

Experts are increasingly concerned about the implications of solar storms for industries reliant on artificial intelligence. The ongoing AI boom is already placing pressure on electrical infrastructure, and widespread outages could have disastrous consequences for this rapidly growing sector. Scot McIntosh, a former deputy director at the National Center for Atmospheric Research, emphasized that AI executives should be especially aware of the potential repercussions of solar activity.

Although satellites are engineered to endure solar weather, shielding them from extreme solar events can be prohibitively expensive and challenging. solar storms can inflict damage on satellite hardware and internal electronics, potentially reducing their operational lifespan or necessitating repairs.

The software of satellites is also vulnerable. As explained by Russell DeHart, a lead engineer at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, high-energy particles can strike computer chips aboard spacecraft and cause a [computer programming] bit to flip, resulting in an “anomaly” known as a “single event upset.” Essentially, these high-energy particles can disrupt the binary code that governs satellite operations. If critical functions experience a bit flip, the satellite must halt nonessential tasks until the issue is resolved.

CMEs can heat and expand the atmosphere, creating increased drag on satellites. This extra drag can cause satellites to lose altitude and speed, potentially dropping several thousand feet. While this might not seem catastrophic for satellites in high orbits, the precise calibration required for these machines means that even a slight altitude loss can disrupt operations.

The growing congestion in low Earth orbit complicates matters. Altitude changes increase the risk of collisions with other satellites or space debris. Although most satellites carry additional fuel for maneuvers, using it can reduce their operational lifespan. DeHart noted that “years can be shaved off” a satellite’s mission if solar cycles are more active than anticipated.

Many technologies reliant on satellites are at risk from these disruptions. For example, a solar storm in 2022 caused 38 SpaceX internet satellites to fall out of orbit. Similarly, in October 2003, a surge of solar activity disrupted half of the world’s satellites. This resulted in grounded flights between North America and Asia, interference with TV and radio broadcasts, and significant disruptions to GPS systems and scientific missions. As more technology migrates to low Earth orbit, these concerns are likely to intensify.

Satellite issues can severely disrupt various communication technologies. Navigation systems, such as GPS, which rely on precise satellite positioning and geographic data, can be severely affected by significant solar storms. For example, farmers using GPS-equipped tractors faced approximately half a billion dollars in damages when a solar storm in 2024 disrupted their systems. The same vulnerability applies to many satellite-based communications technologies.

To physical satellite damage, solar storms can disrupt satellite communication systems by altering the atomic structure of Earth’s atmosphere. As previously mentioned, solar flares, CMEs, and radiation storms can profoundly influence the ionosphere. Radiation storms can obstruct radio wave transmission at high altitudes, while ionization from solar flares and CMEs can cause the ionosphere to absorb or refract radio waves. These changes can lead to significant disruptions in GPS and other satellite-dependent navigation systems that require clear radio frequency pathways.

High-frequency radio systems, commonly known as shortwave radio, depend on the ionosphere for refraction to extend their signal range. These systems are utilized by deep-sea vessels, aircraft, emergency responders, and military personnel for long-distance communication. Alterations in the ionosphere can impact the angle of refraction, making it difficult for radio signals to reach their intended destinations. Very High Frequency (VHF) and Ultra High Frequency (UHF) communication systems are generally more resilient to geomagnetic storms, as they do not rely on ionosphere refraction.

Consumer devices are also affected by satellite disruptions. A report from IoT manufacturer Memfault indicated that a series of storms in 2024 caused malfunctions in approximately 2.5 million devices. Fortunately, solar events have minimal effects on consumer cellular services, as the radio waves used by wireless networks are largely unaffected by ionization. GPS signals from phones combine data from cellular towers and satellite GPS, providing a buffer against satellite disruptions. these safeguards may fail during catastrophic storms that severely damage the power grids serving cellular networks.

Experts warn that a significant coronal mass ejection could pose a grave threat to the world’s internet infrastructure. In a 2021 study, Dr. Sangeeth Abdu Jyothi, a professor at UC Irvine, detailed the potential for a solar storm to trigger a global “internet apocalypse.” He highlighted the vulnerability of submarine fiber optic cables, which facilitate global internet connectivity. While local and regional networks are generally safe, the cables that transfer data across continents remain at risk.

To understand the potential consequences, consider that internet data is transmitted as pulses of light through thin strands of glass known as fiber optic cables. The global internet relies on approximately 870,000 miles of these cables, many of which run along the ocean floor. Interestingly, the fiber optics themselves are immune to outages caused by geomagnetically induced currents. light signals weaken over long distances, necessitating signal repeaters every 30 to 100 miles to amplify the optical signal. According to NOAA, over 95% of international data is transmitted through these underwater cables.

Unfortunately, the electronic components in optical repeaters are susceptible to geomagnetically induced currents. Dr. Jyothi warns that a sufficiently powerful CME could render many of these cables inoperable, severely impacting global internet infrastructure. With the potential for damage to satellite internet systems as well, a major solar storm could significantly slow down internet traffic.

Some regions are more vulnerable to an “internet apocalypse” than others. Similar to power grids, the risk of GIC damage to internet cables is likely correlated with latitude. Long-distance cables connecting the U.S. to Europe face the highest risk, while internal communications within Asia and Europe are comparatively protected.

Modern technologies have yet to experience a historically powerful geomagnetic storm, with the most significant recorded event occurring in 1859. Known as the Carrington Event, this storm was three times more powerful than the one that caused the Quebec blackout and resulted in auroras visible as far south as Panama. The limited technology available at that time, primarily telegraph machines, malfunctioned, with some even catching fire. Scientists express concern that a storm of this magnitude could devastate our modern technological systems, stranding aircraft, collapsing power grids, disrupting internet connectivity, and halting global communications.

To prepare for a major solar storm, individuals can ensure access to essential electronics through various home solutions. Generators have become increasingly efficient and are available in various sizes and price points, making them ideal for sustained power generation. Solar-powered battery backups, such as Anker’s Solix E10 or Tesla’s Powerwall, are environmentally friendly alternatives capable of maintaining power for several days. For those seeking portable solutions, power stations can deliver substantial energy in compact forms, while uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) can provide power to essential devices affordably.

Historically, events like the Carrington Event occur only twice every millennium. even this storm is considered relatively mild. Researchers have identified solar events even larger than the 1859 incident by analyzing carbon-14 levels in arctic ice cores. The largest of these occurrences, termed Miyake events, include one from 774 AD, which is believed to have been twelve times more powerful than the Carrington storm.

Some scientists predict that a catastrophic solar storm is inevitable. According to the Washington Post, the National Academy of Sciences estimates that a geomagnetic disaster could result in losses exceeding $2 trillion. Strengthening global satellite, internet, communication, and power systems to withstand such events will require significant financial investments. For example, the Foundation for Resilient Societies estimates that securing the U.S. national power grid could cost approximately $255 billion. Although NASA has made strides in detecting geomagnetic storms, a 2025 report by NOAA highlighted the need for improved solar forecasting systems. Addressing these challenges will likely necessitate extensive international collaboration. given the relatively low annual likelihood of geomagnetic disasters, it remains uncertain whether governments worldwide will act with the urgency that some experts deem necessary. If you doubt this, consider the perspective of local climate activists.