The Car Conundrum if We Lose Power

I've seen a lot of internet chat lately regarding concerns whether modern cars would continue to function after a massive solar storm.  

If an event similar to the 1859 Carrington Event were to occur today, it is hard to predict how much damage it would do to our daily lives.  In 1859, society's impact was very isolated, mostly just a lot of curiosity owing to the immense area and brightness of the auroras.  At that time, the telegraph was the most technologically affected system.  The communication systems and operators experienced sparks and flames coming from the equipment.  

Today's society is much different, though.  We have become so dependent upon the technology which has seeped in to every aspect of our lives (home, work, and personal).  The power grids?  They are protected by the copper grounding wires which are being stripped by immoral and dishonest thieves.  Would they fail or manage to hold together with a massive surge in energy?  We buy gas with a credit card - which requires satellite transmissions  We use the GPS on our phones and in our cars - again, satellite transmissions. We watch television which is powered by the power grid.  We drink water brought to our apartments by water companies powered by the grid and taken away by sewage companies again powered by the grid.  We depend on truckers to transport our fresh fruit from states and countries far outside our reach.  Want a McDonald's cheeseburger?  Think again, Ronald don't work in dark restaurants.

There are so many unknowns in this scenario.

So, what is my advice on buying a car in case of a solar flare?

1.  If you buy a modern vehicle, especially an electrical model - there is a risk of fire or wire malfunction - with or without a CME.  

2.  If you buy an older vehicle to fix it up, do it as a hobby.  Why put so much time and money into something that may only end up leaving you stranded?  

3.  Along with point #2 - you must still consider the fuel consumption if rebuilding an older vehicle.  You don't want to build a car that guzzles gas.  If the gas pumps aren't running (because they, like everything else, don't work without the power grids), you would still want a conservative car.   

The moral of the story - it's all a conundrum.  There are so many what-if's in this scenario and it may or may not happen in our lifetime.  So my advice?  Prepare yourself and your family just in case something should happen.  Worry more about the necessities (food, water, protection, and a plan) than buying new cars or building cement bunkers.  This isn't just a good idea for the solar flare fanatics (though I might be considered one since I did write a novel about the post-solar flare world).  This is a good idea for everyone since natural disasters happen all the time across the globe.  It's just common sense.  

Now go get some water and non-perishable foods to get you and your family started.  

4% of power disruptions related to CME activity

 Lockheed Martin has released new research which revealed about 4% of power disruptions from 1992 to 2010 were correlated with the heightened solar activity (CME activity).  This information is in contrast with government reports that reported zero disruptions were related to the solar activity during the same time frame.  

With the upcoming predictions of solar extremes later this year, I wonder what (if any) impact these disruptions may have on our power and electronic systems.

Can a solar flare kill us?

Everyone likes a litte trivia, right?  I thought I'd share some trivia about solar flares with those of you in blogger land today.

 

 

Can a solar flare kill us?

 

 

In reality, only a small amount of the energy released from solar flares will actually reach the earth because we are protected by our planet's atmosphere. 

Super Solar Storm Impact

A solar super storm usually occurs every 100 to 200 years.  The largest super storm on record was in 1859 and is referred to as the Carrington Event.  During this time, the technological reliance was nothing like we have today.  In 1859, Europe and North America experienced telegraph communication outages and some reports even consist of fires starting from the heat that flowed through the lines. 

 

A massive solar storm today would have an impact on electricity grids, satellites, aircraft, GPS, and mobile devices. The increased electric currents caused by the geomagnetic storms can cause instability in the power grid systems causing them to crash.  Satellites are at the front line of solar storms; some of our older satellites may take the brunt of such a flare and could have residual effects long after the event.  Many of the satellites have been designed to withstand a large majority of the solar extremes.  That being said, it is difficult to effectively predict what will happen if a major storm like the 1859 event. occurred today.  Additionally, the GPS systems, navigation systems, and aircraft could be impacted with the secondary particles and wreak havoc on the delicate systems.