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US Cities Vulnerable to Space Weather Highlighted by New Research
Recent studies indicate that certain cities across the United States, notably including Washington, D.C., are particularly susceptible to the impacts of space weather. This vulnerability is linked to the power grid infrastructure in these areas, raising concerns among experts about potential risks.
Researchers from the British Geological Survey (BGS) have revealed that regions such as Washington, D.C., and Milwaukee exhibit an elevated risk during geomagnetic storms, which can be triggered by solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs). These phenomena entail massive bursts of gas and magnetic fields that are ejected from the sun’s atmosphere, leading to geomagnetic storms capable of disrupting various infrastructures, from satellites to underground utilities.
Dr. Lauren Orr of the BGS has been vocal about her findings, stating during her presentation at the National Astronomy Meeting at the University of Hull that these cities have been consistently identified as “highly connected” nodes in their research network. “Such connectivity suggests they could be particularly vulnerable to the effects of space weather, making them prime candidates for further monitoring,” she explained.
Dr. Orr highlighted a variety of factors that might contribute to this heightened risk, including the electrical conductivity of the ground, the specific design of local power grids, and the positioning of auroral currents in the atmosphere. However, she emphasized that more research is required to fully understand why these areas qualify as ‘supernodes’ within the network.
The growing threat posed by severe space weather has become a pressing issue for scientists worldwide, drawing parallels to the risks of a pandemic and natural disasters such as extreme weather events. Of particular concern are geomagnetically induced currents (GICs), known to cause significant damage to power systems, including widespread outages linked to transformer failures during magnetic storms.
“Utilizing network science has become essential in evaluating the resilience of power grids in the face of both intentional attacks and unforeseen failures,” stated Dr. Orr. This approach allows researchers to analyze the relationships within a network, whether it involves computer systems, social media connections, or electrical infrastructure.
Dr. Orr elaborated on their method, remarking on their past successes in applying network science to study patterns within auroral electrojets. The aim is to merge the principles of network science with space weather data to elucidate how GICs affect electric power networks. “Implementing known reliability parameters could help pinpoint areas and transformers at heightened risk,” she noted, underscoring the importance of this analysis in mitigating damage during geomagnetic events.
In collaboration with Professor Sandra Chapman from the University of Warwick and Dr. Ryan McGranaghan from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California, Dr. Orr’s team is making strides in this critical field of study. Understanding and addressing the vulnerabilities of key cities may lead to proactive measures that protect vital infrastructure during geomagnetic storms.
As research continues, the implications not only affect local power reliability but also echo broader concerns regarding national security and emergency preparedness in the face of natural phenomena.
Source
phys.org