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The threat of a solar superstorm is growing - and we're not ready
A new computer model that combines artificial intelligence (AI) could help us prepare for this potentially devastating event
Like a tornado siren for life-threatening storms in America’s heartland, a new computer model that combines artificial intelligence (AI) could provide critical warnings for an impending solar superstorm—a potentially devastating event that could cripple power grids, satellites, and communications systems worldwide.
The new model, developed by researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, and the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), is the first to use AI to predict the strength and timing of solar storms. The model, which was published in the journal Nature Communications, could give us up to a week’s notice of an impending storm, giving us time to take steps to protect our infrastructure and prepare for the worst.
Solar storms are caused by the Sun’s magnetic field, which is constantly changing. When the magnetic field lines become tangled, they can release energy in the form of solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs). These eruptions can send billions of tons of charged particles hurtling towards Earth, where they can interact with our planet’s magnetic field and cause a variety of problems.
The most severe solar storms can cause power outages, disrupt satellite communications, and even damage electronic equipment. In 1989, a solar storm caused a power outage in Quebec, Canada, that lasted for nine hours. In 2003, a solar storm damaged satellites and caused communication blackouts in parts of Europe and Asia.
Solar storms are a natural hazard, but they are one that we can’t ignore. The new AI-powered model could help us to better prepare for these events and to mitigate their impact.
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