The sun constantly emits solar energy to the Earth, but sometimes it can become threatening. Powerful solar storms can disrupt the planet’s magnetic fields, with serious consequences. Experts warn that in the worst case such a storm could cause global technological chaos, threatening the economy and human security. These rare but potentially devastating events become more likely during peak solar activity, which occurs approximately every 11 years.

Three main types of solar events – solar flares, coronal holes, and coronal mass ejections (CMEs) – can release high-velocity particles that impact Earth’s magnetic fields. This could lead to peeling of the Earth’s ionized layer, which protects us from the dangers of space weather. Scientists warn that such events could have serious consequences for today’s world, which is highly dependent on technology. Major solar storms can affect power grids, satellites and communication systems, causing significant financial losses and infrastructure disruptions.

If such a storm hits tomorrow, it could cause technological chaos that “could paralyze economies and threaten the safety and livelihoods of people around the world,” according to NASA.

“We’re talking about an event that happens once in a century,” said Matthew Owens, professor of space physics at the University of Reading.

This type of severe geomagnetic storm can occur at any time. But it becomes more likely during peak solar activity, when the Sun’s magnetic field lines become more tangled and twisted. This tension increases the likelihood of the sun creating more sunspots, more CMEs, more solar flares, and more coronal holes. All of this offers more opportunities for a once-in-a-century event to happen.

“Much stronger events don’t happen every cycle,” said Daniel Versharen, professor of space and climate physics at University College London. “But during a max cycle like the one that’s coming, you’re more likely to get some of the events that will cause blackouts on Earth,” he said.

The strongest geomagnetic storms recorded date back to before the internet and the massive satellites we see today. The more we rely on infrastructure, the more vulnerable we are to its failure.

The Carrington event of 1859 is considered the strongest solar storm ever recorded. However, it did very little damage as the infrastructure was very small.

Still, telegraph operators were electrocuted to their equipment and fires at telegraph stations were dramatic as currents from the storm raced down the wires.

“Our dependence on communications, satellites, power grids and other critical infrastructure has increased exponentially since the 1990s. If such a storm occurs today, the world can expect widespread power outages, satellites leaving orbit, and critical communications networks,” he said.

“With each solar cycle, we become more and more dependent on technology. What the average cycle would have caused in terms of space weather effects 20 years ago is much smaller than what the average cycle would cause in terms of space weather effects now,” said Professor Owens.