Severe solar storms have occurred in the past, and if they return, their return will be disastrous for technology.

Arab Weather - In September 1859, the same year that Charles Darwin published his famous book, “The Origin of Species,” the world witnessed an unprecedented event. Telegraph systems across Europe and North America suddenly stopped working, and in some cases even caught fire, causing fires. Just hours before this catastrophe, scientists observed the first-ever confirmed solar flare — a massive explosion of radiation from the sun that served as a warning sign that something big was about to hit Earth.

During this event, later known as the Carrington Event, the skies in the northern and southern hemispheres were lit up with spectacular displays of aurora borealis. This solar storm was one of the most powerful ever recorded. But a new study published in the journal Nature has shown that Earth has been hit by much more powerful solar storms in the past, traces of which have been detected by analyzing levels of radiocarbon (carbon-14) in tree rings.

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What is a solar storm?

How do solar storms affect Earth?

Solar storms cause disruptions in Earth's magnetic shield, known as the magnetosphere. While the Carrington Event was devastating in its time, the more powerful solar storms detected in tree rings suggest they could wreak havoc on modern technological infrastructure like never before.

For example, evidence suggests that the great solar storm of 774 AD was much stronger than the Carrington Storm.

Radiocarbon: A Tool for Understanding Solar Storms

Radiocarbon dating has been widely used for decades to determine the ages of formerly living objects, such as bones and wood. But scientists have recently discovered that powerful solar storms affect the amount of radiocarbon absorbed by trees and living things. This provides a unique opportunity for researchers to identify historical solar events that have not been recorded in history books.

Over time, radiocarbon concentrations in the atmosphere vary, which can lead to inaccurate results. For this reason, scientists have sought to “calibrate” these records by comparing them to other materials of known age, such as tree rings or stalagmites.

Surprising changes in radiocarbon discovered

In 2012, researcher Fusa Miyake of Nagoya University in Japan discovered that solar storms can cause sudden changes in the concentration of radiocarbon within tree rings. This discovery gave scientists important clues about powerful solar storms that hit Earth in the past.

By studying these solar storms, scientists can now analyze how often they occur, helping to better understand carbon cycles, how heat is distributed across the oceans and atmosphere, and the workings of the Sun.

Solar Storms and Future Challenges

In our current technological age, severe solar storms pose a major threat, as they can destroy satellites and power grids. As discoveries about ancient solar storms continue, the world must prepare for the challenges that future storms may pose to our civilization.

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