Discovering that a significant geomagnetic storm occurred in February 1872, researchers are more aware than ever of the potential danger these storms pose to our technology-dependent modern society. This storm, one of the most powerful ever recorded and surpassed only by the Carrington Event in 1859 and another in 1921, has implications for our present-day world.
The February 1872 storm, which created brilliant auroras far south of the equator and caused significant magnetic disturbances, is a cause for concern owing to its intensity and the surprising source of the storm – a moderate sunspot group. This revelation raises questions about the frequency of super geomagnetic storms and the potential risk they pose to our technology-savvy world.
These storms, capable of knocking out energy, communication, and satellite systems, are not as rare as previously thought. In fact, a super geomagnetic storm narrowly missed Earth in July 2012, causing concern over the devastating impact it could have had on our daily lives.
Scientists are now working to understand the triggers on the sun that produce these storms and monitor their potential impact on Earth. The need for vigilance and preparation in the face of such storms has become increasingly clear, as their prevalence and destructive potential are now much more apparent. With modern society heavily dependent on technology and communication systems, the potential impact of future super geomagnetic storms on our lives cannot be ignored.
