ZAP // GSFC / NASA
A study of tree rings has identified one of the most powerful solar storms in history. If this extreme event, which occurred between 664 and 663 BC, happened today, its effects on telecommunications would be catastrophic.
A team of researchers from the University of Arizona found evidence of a extreme solar storm — event that will have occurred almost 3 thousand years ago.
These events are called and, if they happened today, they would have a chaotic effect on telecommunications, says the
The international team of researchers, led by physicist Irina Panyushkinafrom the University of Arizona, analyzed ancient tree trunks found in Siberia and wood from archaeological excavations.
The researchers then compared existing tree ring data with beryllium-10 spikes in ice cores at the poles.
The results of the study showed that, between 664 and 663 BC, there was a significant increase in carbon-14 and beryllium-10, elements that prove the existence of massive cosmic radiation.
“Tree rings give us an idea of the magnitude of these massive storms, but we can’t detect any kind of pattern,” Panyushkina explained, and that fact makes it more difficult for us to prepare in the event of this type of natural catastrophe.
Published in the magazine Naturewhich confirms that these solar events exceed in intensity any currently recorded storms. If they were repeated today, they would cause serious damage to electrical networks, satellites and in communication systems.
NASA, the European Union and the government of Hungary funded the studywhich aims to understand how these storms affect the Earth system so that we can take precautions in time — otherwise, chaos could very well ensue.
The best-known Miyake Event, the most powerful solar storm ever. The most violent solar storm in modern history – known as Carrington event of 1859 – led to devastating fires and damaged telegraph cables. However, it is considered insignificant when compared to the magnitude of the Miyake events.
