(FOX40.COM) — A violent solar storm known as a geomagnetic storm is moving past Earth, and officials said the astronomical phenomenon could impact technology.
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According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, geomagnetic storms are large disturbances in Earth's magnetosphere that occur when energy is highly efficiently exchanged from the solar wind to the space environment surrounding Earth. These storms cause significant changes in the currents, plasma, and magnetic fields of Earth's magnetosphere.
NOAA warned the public Friday that the severe geomagnetic storm that recently hit Earth will continue to affect the planet over the weekend and into next week. The last time a solar event of this magnitude (G5) occurred was more than 20 years ago.
Communications, the Global Positioning System, power grid, spacecraft, satellite navigation and other technologies could be affected, the National Weather Service said. Additionally, users of high frequency wireless signals may experience signal loss.
The last solar storm of this strength occurred in October 2003. Power outages occurred in Sweden and transformers were damaged in South Africa. According to Earth.com, the current storm could rival the intensity of the Carrington Incident in 1859, which disrupted global communications and caused a fire at a telegraph station.
How to prepare for extreme geomagnetic storms
“Space weather can affect our advanced technologies, which directly impacts our daily lives,” the NWS said. “To begin preparing for the possibility of power loss in the event of an extreme geomagnetic storm, you should build an emergency kit and develop a communication plan for your family.”
The NWS has proposed another way to prepare for severe solar storms.
•Stock up on essentials and don't wait until stores are empty or closed.
● Fill a plastic container with water and place it in the refrigerator or freezer.
•Since gas stations rely on electricity to power their pumps, keep your vehicle's gas tank at least half full.
• Keep spare batteries for your phone in a safe place or purchase a solar-powered or hand-cranked charger.
• Phones other than cordless phones should be kept at home, as they can operate without electricity.
The NWS said that although preparedness is recommended, most NOAA Geomagnetic Scale 5 (G5) storms do not cause catastrophic damage to the power grid.
