Space boffins warn that a solar ‘tsunami’ is barrelling towards Earth – including a possible ‘cannibal’ storm – that could cause mayhem with the planet’s electromagnetics
Astronomers are forecasting a solar storm “tsunami” to hit Earth today, following multiple flares and Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs) from the sun. One of these flares is believed to be one of the most potent eruptions of the current solar cycle, with significant implications for space weather and our planet’s electromagnetic environment.
This flare has the potential to disrupt satellites, high-frequency radio transmissions, and high-altitude flights. As the first waves of this solar tsunami approach Earth, space weather forecasters are raising the alarm for an unusual “cannibal CME” event.
Several CMEs from recent X-class flares – including yesterday’s X1.7 and today’s record-breaking X5.0 from sunspot AR4274 – are hurtling towards us at speeds up to 1,000km/s.
The leading CME, which erupted on November 9, may already be brushing against our magnetosphere, causing minor radio blackouts over Europe and Africa. Meanwhile, subsequent blasts could catch up and merge during their journey – a phenomenon referred to as a cannibal due to the faster rear wave consuming the front one, thereby amplifying its impact.
If this merger happens before the expected impact later today or tomorrow, it could trigger G3 (strong) to G4 (severe) geomagnetic storms, far surpassing the moderate G2 levels initially predicted, reports the Express. This could result in brighter auroras visible as far south as Alabama or northern Spain.
But it also brings increased risks: satellite operators are reporting potential drag increases in low-Earth orbit, while power grids in high-latitude regions like Scandinavia and Canada are preparing for voltage surges similar to the 2003 Halloween storms. If today’s solar tsunami were to escalate to the levels of the Carrington Event – the 1859 superstorm that fried telegraph wires and lit up auroras over Hawaii – modern society would be facing serious repercussions.
A similar event could cause power blackouts across continents for weeks, crippling hospitals, water pumps, and ATMs. Satellites could fall from orbit, GPS could disappear, and trillions in economic damage could ensue, according to NASA estimates – a scenario far worse than the 1989 Quebec blackout.
Europe’s recent simulation painted a bleak picture: a total collapse of e-communications, navigation paralysis, and supply chain chaos. While this is unlikely, it highlights our vulnerability – prepare now, or face a hefty cost later.
Speaking at the UK Space Conference in 2019, space weather expert Mike Willis warned that a massive solar storm could cripple the UK, hitting satellites and the National Grid with damages amounting to £5billion over five days, according to the UK Space Agency. Mike, who is in charge of space safety, emphasised the fear of “extreme events which would be much more than your normal flare”.
He said: “This could actually cause serious disruption if we don’t forecast it and if we don’t do anything about it.” Satellites are at risk of solar cell damage and orbit shifts due to coronal mass ejections, while geomagnetic currents could potentially cause transformer meltdowns, mirroring a recent 5% power drop.
He further explained: “The real effect… is the impact on satellite navigation… turbulence in [the atmosphere] could make the signals… not receivable for several hours to days.
“Knowing when an event is coming allows the grid to take mitigation activities.”
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