The solar cycle, geology, and geoelectric hazards for power grids

Jeffrey J. Love; Steven Sobieszczyk; E. Joshua Rigler; Anna Kelbert; Kristen A. Lewis

doi:10.3133/fs20243036

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The solar cycle, geology, and geoelectric hazards for power grids

Jeffrey J. Love·Steven Sobieszczyk·E. Joshua Rigler·Anna Kelbert·Kristen A. Lewis

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Abstract

When sunspots are large and numerous, intense magnetic storms are likely to occur on the Earth. Magnetic storms can generate electric fields in the Earth, and these fields can, in turn, interfere with electric power transmission grids that are grounded at the Earth’s surface. Across the contiguous United States, geoelectric hazards are highest in the Upper Midwest and in the East. These regions correspond to geological structures that are electrically resistive, and they have, historically, experienced the most interference to electric power systems.

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Source-reported bounding extent: 25.08° to 49.38905° latitude; -124.68721° to -66.96466° longitude. This indicates report coverage, not an exact sampling location. View area on OpenStreetMap.

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BibTeX RIS

Jeffrey J. Love, Steven Sobieszczyk, E. Joshua Rigler, Anna Kelbert, Kristen A. Lewis. 2024-10-16. The solar cycle, geology, and geoelectric hazards for power grids. https://doi.org/10.3133/fs20243036

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