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I have been doing some research on EMP for several years. Many of you know about the potential impact of our current solar cycle. For those that do not, NASA and Dr. Michio Kaku agree that we may see some heavy geomagnetic storms towards the end of 24.According to my reading, Cycle 24 began in January 2008 and should peak in May 2013.
What scares me is now they are saying the intensity of geomagnetic storms during this "peak" may be elevated in some area where the Earth's magnetic field is weaker than it once was. The weakened magnetic field was discovered by the THEMIS spacecraft back in 2008. That magnetic field is what deflects much of the dangerous geomagnetic particles. A 20-fold increase in particle counts that penetrate the Earth's magnetic field is possible.
Dr. Kaku believes the next storm may be equal to one that happened back in September 1859. It was known as the Carrington event. Google it and you will see it is nothing to sneeze at. During that time period, we were in the middle of the industrial revolution. The impact although felt, would not be as painful as it would today.
Geomagnetic Storms are measured by nanotesla per minute (nT/min). The larger the number the larger the storm. A good example would be comparing the Carrington events nT/min with recent ones.
March 13, 1989, disrupted power in Quebec blacking out 6 million people for more than 9 hours. Like the Carrington Event, it induced current into the lines, causing power surges that melted a transformer in New Jersey. There were also 200 other incidents reported within the USA power grid including a nuclear power plant in New Jersey. 480 nT/min
The Carrington event happened on September 1, 1859. Keep in mind technology was in its infancy. Even so, telegraph systems worldwide went crazy, shocking telegraph operators and setting fires. Even when telegraphers disconnected the batteries powering the lines, aurora-induced electric currents in the wires still allowed messages to be transmitted. Scientists estimate the Carrington event to have produced a 2,000 to 5,000 nT/min storm.
Should we be hit with anything close to that intensity, combine it with our less than able magnetic field, well.... we might be in for a ride.
There are some things you can do to protect some of your emergency electronics. Building a faraday cage is one way. Converting an old microwave oven is another possibility. I had my doubts about the microwave, but a friend who is a physicist said it should work. All you are doing is re-directing the particles around an object. He also said that grounding is not necessary. I know there are different opinions regarding the protection of devices during an EMP event, but as far as I can tell this will work.
What scares me is now they are saying the intensity of geomagnetic storms during this "peak" may be elevated in some area where the Earth's magnetic field is weaker than it once was. The weakened magnetic field was discovered by the THEMIS spacecraft back in 2008. That magnetic field is what deflects much of the dangerous geomagnetic particles. A 20-fold increase in particle counts that penetrate the Earth's magnetic field is possible.
Dr. Kaku believes the next storm may be equal to one that happened back in September 1859. It was known as the Carrington event. Google it and you will see it is nothing to sneeze at. During that time period, we were in the middle of the industrial revolution. The impact although felt, would not be as painful as it would today.
Geomagnetic Storms are measured by nanotesla per minute (nT/min). The larger the number the larger the storm. A good example would be comparing the Carrington events nT/min with recent ones.
March 13, 1989, disrupted power in Quebec blacking out 6 million people for more than 9 hours. Like the Carrington Event, it induced current into the lines, causing power surges that melted a transformer in New Jersey. There were also 200 other incidents reported within the USA power grid including a nuclear power plant in New Jersey. 480 nT/min
The Carrington event happened on September 1, 1859. Keep in mind technology was in its infancy. Even so, telegraph systems worldwide went crazy, shocking telegraph operators and setting fires. Even when telegraphers disconnected the batteries powering the lines, aurora-induced electric currents in the wires still allowed messages to be transmitted. Scientists estimate the Carrington event to have produced a 2,000 to 5,000 nT/min storm.
Should we be hit with anything close to that intensity, combine it with our less than able magnetic field, well.... we might be in for a ride.
There are some things you can do to protect some of your emergency electronics. Building a faraday cage is one way. Converting an old microwave oven is another possibility. I had my doubts about the microwave, but a friend who is a physicist said it should work. All you are doing is re-directing the particles around an object. He also said that grounding is not necessary. I know there are different opinions regarding the protection of devices during an EMP event, but as far as I can tell this will work.
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