Experts from a major technology company examined how intense solar storms might influence the performance of underwater fiber optic networks. The inquiry focused on the resilience of long submarine cables that carry vast amounts of data across oceans. The findings, reported through industry analyses, emphasize how such cables are designed to withstand electrical disturbances that accompany solar events.
The researchers noted that solar flares can trigger significant power surges within the broader telecommunications infrastructure. They concluded that the fiber itself remains largely unaffected by voltage fluctuations because submarine cables rely on copper conductors paired with distinct optical signal amplifiers placed along different portions of the network. This separation helps isolate the optical signal from potential electrical noise and provides an additional layer of protection against transient surges.
Using historical data from smaller solar disturbances and the documented impact on a submarine link during a storm in 1989, the study concluded that a strong solar storm would not inherently cause a network to fail. The researchers explained that while power surges are possible, the most extreme events would typically stay within certain boundary limits that these systems are engineered to endure. The practical takeaway is that the core data path remains intact even when external electricity levels spike in the surrounding grid.
According to the researchers, there is no need for widespread fear about solar storms harming underwater communications. They noted that the expected voltage surge on land would not exceed 800 volts, and submarine cables were designed to tolerate surges up to about 6000 volts. The involved company operates multiple submarine fiber networks, including ownership stakes in a sizable portion of the global undersea cable infrastructure. This structural diversity helps ensure redundancy and reliability across different routes and regions.
In a separate historical note, there was an incident in which a beaver unintentionally disrupted Internet service across several Canadian cities for several hours due to damage caused while gnawing on a tree near a power corridor. The event underscored the importance of environmental considerations and physical safeguards in protecting critical communication links, especially in regions where wildlife and natural features intersect with installed infrastructure.
Overall, the research highlights the robustness of modern submarine cable systems in the face of solar-driven electrical activity. Engineers design the networks with layered protections that minimize the likelihood of disruption from space weather. Real-world events have shown that even sizable solar disturbances do not automatically translate into widespread outages, thanks to thoughtful routing, insulation, shielding, and systematic monitoring across a global network.
These insights reinforce confidence in the ongoing investment in undersea fiber, which remains a cornerstone of international connectivity. The combination of copper-based conductors, distributed optical amplification, physical protection in deep ocean environments, and comprehensive fault monitoring enables continuous data transmission under a wide range of solar and weather-related conditions. As a result, users in Canada and the United States can expect stable service even during periods of heightened solar activity, with automatic safeguards and rapid recovery protocols in place to address any unexpected anomalies.