Here’s where a massive solar storm could take down the US power grid

Key Points:

• A severe solar storm known as the Gannon storm struck Earth in May 2024, causing significant disruptions to precision GPS sensors used by farmers in at least 12 US states, resulting in $500 million to $1 billion in economic losses, though widespread power outages were avoided.
• New research models predict that a rare, massive solar storm similar to the 1859 Carrington Event could cause power outages affecting 5.1 million people and 135,000 businesses in the US, with economic losses estimated at $1.5 billion to $2 billion per day, especially impacting the Northeast and Northern Plains.
• The US power grid is vulnerable to geomagnetic storms due to geological factors and grid structure, with high latitudes and regions with resistive bedrock at greater risk for induced currents that can overload transformers and cause voltage instability or blackouts.
• While catastrophic multi-year blackouts are considered unlikely, power disruptions lasting from hours to weeks could occur, and grid operators have improved preparedness through advanced forecasting and coordinated responses, as demonstrated during the Gannon storm.
• Continued advancements in forecasting and grid management are crucial as solar activity remains elevated, and increasing reliance on satellites and digital technology heightens vulnerability to future solar storms.