• Question: Would the earth be affected if there was a massive solar flare? @Connor

    Asked by Florence to Connor on 21 Jun 2015. This question was also asked by Hannah.
    • Photo: Connor Macrae

      Connor Macrae answered on 21 Jun 2015:

      Most certainly! A very large solar flare will produce a lot of high energy radiation. Our atmosphere and magnetic field normally protects us from such radiation, however a large burst will be able to reach the Earths surface, and possible damage the Earths atmosphere. We don’t fully understand how a massive flare could affect life on Earth, but large flares followed by CME’s have been known to damage electrical systems causing power outages – If a large enough flare damaged for example the whole national grid it would severely disrupt normal day to day life until all repairs are made.

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