A massive coronal mass ejection narrowly missed our planet, avoiding potential global chaos
Ten years ago, Earth narrowly avoided a catastrophic event when a massive coronal mass ejection (CME) from the sun passed just nine days from our orbit on 23 July 2012. The CME, the largest solar storm in a century, could have triggered widespread destruction on Earth, taking down electrical circuits, communication systems, and national grids across the globe. Had the storm made contact, the economic repercussions would still be felt today.
Mike Lockwood, a professor of space environment physics at Reading University, explained that while such geomagnetic storms do not directly threaten human life, the subsequent disruptions could lead to life-threatening scenarios. The event serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities of modern infrastructure to solar activity.