An eBook Short Read (7,500 words)
Between 28 August and 5 September 1859, Earth experienced the most signifcant geomagnetic storm of the last two hundred years. Now known as the Carrington Event after astronomer Richard Carrington (1826-1875) connected it with an intense solar flare he observed, the storm produced spectacular auroral around the world. In two peaks of auroral activity, displays were visible as far south as Cuba.
The effects of the geomagnetic storm were not limited to spectacular light shows. The world’s nascent telegraph network experienced disruption, with a significant portion rendered unusable for eight hours or more. Around half the telegraph stations in the United States were affected. Induced currents overloaded batteries and transformers, causing many to fail. At some sites, sparks generated by the anomalous current flowing to ground within the transmission stations started fires15.
In 1859, the telecommunications industry was in its infancy. Electric lighting was still in the experimental stage, and there was no widespread generation and distribution of electricity. Industry relied on steam engines and water power. The economic effects were relatively minor.
The effects of a comparable event today would be far worse – and it’s not a matter of ‘if it happens again’, but ‘when’.