1989 Geomagnetic Storm
Background
The 1989 geomagnetic storm was a severe space weather event that occurred on March 13, 1989. It was caused by a coronal mass ejection (CME) from the sun, which disrupted the Earth's magnetic field and caused a widespread blackout in Quebec, Canada. The storm is considered one of the most extreme space weather events in recorded history.
Causes
The 1989 geomagnetic storm was triggered by a large-scale solar event known as a coronal mass ejection (CME). CMEs are massive bursts of solar wind and magnetic fields that are ejected from the sun's corona, or outermost layer. When a CME reaches Earth, it can interact with the planet's magnetic field, causing a geomagnetic storm.
The CME that caused the 1989 storm was particularly powerful, with a speed of approximately 1,000 kilometers per second. This was significantly faster than the average CME speed of 500 kilometers per second. The CME was associated with a large solar flare, which is a sudden flash of increased brightness on the sun, often associated with CMEs.
Effects
The 1989 geomagnetic storm had significant effects on Earth, particularly in the area of electrical power systems. The most notable impact was the widespread blackout in Quebec, Canada, which occurred just 90 seconds after the onset of the storm. The blackout affected six million people and lasted for nine hours.
The storm also caused problems for satellites, which experienced increased drag due to the expansion of the Earth's atmosphere. This led to changes in satellite orbits and even the loss of some satellites. In addition, the storm caused increased radiation levels, which posed a risk to astronauts in space.
Aftermath and Lessons Learned
The 1989 geomagnetic storm highlighted the vulnerability of modern society to space weather events. In the aftermath of the storm, efforts were made to better understand and predict space weather, and to mitigate its effects on critical infrastructure.
The storm also led to increased research into the sun and its effects on Earth. This has resulted in significant advancements in our understanding of solar physics and space weather forecasting.