A massive solar storm occurred 14,300 years ago, twice as powerful as the largest directly observed solar storm in history. The storm was so powerful that it left a spike in radiocarbon levels in ancient tree rings and beryllium levels in Greenland ice cores.
Scientists warn that a similar solar storm today would be catastrophic for modern technology, wiping out telecommunications, satellite systems, and electricity grids, costing trillions of dollars in damage.
It is important to understand the risks of solar storms so that we can prepare and mitigate the damage.
