Solar Cycle Raises Concerns Over Geomagnetic Storms

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Aug 13, 2010, 7:36:37 PM8/13/10

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Solar Cycle Raises Concerns Over Geomagnetic Storms
Imagine a blackout that plunges entire regions into darkness and cripples the flow of power for days and weeks on end, if not months. Now drill deeper and contemplate the nearly immediate and prolonged loss of potable water for city populations, the subsequent risk to perishable food supplies and the challenges for hospitals, sewer plants and other infrastructure. In the eyes of those who monitor solar storm activity and space weather, such a premise may not be limited to Hollywood disaster flicks. Eruptions from the sun's surface yield electromagnetic currents that can penetrate the Earth's atmosphere. The potential for a geomagnetic storm to wreak havoc on industry, particularly in the delivery of bulk power, has some risk experts looking to the stars. "We're talking about something here that would put at risk millions of lives, and would probably cost in the neighborhood of several trillions dollars per year in impacts to the economy," said John Kappenman, a consultant for Metatech Corp., a Los Angeles-area company whose scientists and engineers monitor explosive bursts from the sun's energy field. The company also provides customized analysis of government-generated space weather forecasts for its clients.