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Old 22-06-2011, 04:57 PM
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oosh (Jason)
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Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Brisbane
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Quote:
Originally Posted by space oddity View Post
A large CME hitting the power grid could easily overload the system, blowing transformers and overloading circuits. Given that there are not many spare transformers of the size used in power generation, restoring electricity would take quite some time, especially if the effect was global. In 1859, the Carrington event was almost certainly a CME. If an event of this magnitude were to strike the earth today , with our reliance on all things electronic, we would be in big trouble. As long as they do not get too paranoid, this may well be a wise decision. Remember, another big CME must hit planet earth sometime.
Indeed, I remember reading we're well overdue for a CME (every hundred years approx?) so I think caution is a wise idea!
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