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US economic and power grid risks from solar storms

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2026-09-09 10:24 UTC → 2026-09-10 14:54 UTC · added ~~removed~~

Research published in AGU Advances has quantified the potential economic and infrastructural risks posed by extreme geomagnetic storms to the United States. A study led by Edward J. Oughton utilizes a model linking space physics, engineering, and economics to assess how solar plasma and magnetic fields interact with Earth’s magnetic field to create geoelectric fields. These fields can induce currents in high-voltage transformers, potentially causing widespread regional blackouts. In a 100-year storm scenario, researchers estimate that approximately 3.45 million people and 91,000 businesses could lose power, with daily economic losses reaching $1.22 billion. In a more severe 250-year return period event, the impact could escalate significantly. Such a storm could disrupt electricity for roughly 5.1 million people and 135,000 businesses, resulting in estimated daily economic losses of approximately $1.81 billion. The most vulnerable areas identified include the Northern Plains and the Northeast, particularly at higher latitudes. Recent environmental reports continue to highlight these significant economic and infrastructure risks, noting that extreme solar storms could cause widespread power outages by damaging high-voltage transformers.

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