Journal of Civil Defense 2010, Volume 43, Issue 1, “The Societal Impact of a Geomagnetic Storm”

Description

The Societal Impact of a Geomagnetic Storm

Every 50 to 100 years we experience an extreme geomagnetic storm that would affect our power grid in much the same way as a continent-wide high altitude nuclear electromagnetic pulse (HEMP). The geomagnetic storm induced ground currents and the about the same as those produced by the late time E3 (essentially dc) portion of HEMP produced by a high-altitude nuclear detonation.

In both cases the area covered can be continent wide but the duration of geomagnetic storm induced currents is significantly longer and in both cases are likely to result in a near complete shutdown of the US and Canadian power grids.

Bronius Cikotas explains what the societal impact would be if these events were to take place.

This and much more in this issue of the Journal of Civil Defense! (See second main image for listing of articles for this issue.)