Scientists from the American Geophysical Union have discovered that space storms can reverse train signals. The study was reported by Space Weather.
In July 1982, train signals in Sweden misfired and turned red instead of green. This was due to a cosmic storm that started 150 million kilometers from the Sun. The fact is that starbursts can alter the Earth’s magnetic field and cause a geomagnetic storm when solar matter falls on it. This can create electrical currents on the Earth’s surface that damage power lines, pipelines, railroad tracks, and more.
Scientists have developed a model to test how strong a geomagnetic storm would have to be to disrupt two British railways and how often this could happen.
They found that fairly powerful solar flares occur every 30 years. More powerful storms, which are expected to occur every 100 years, can disrupt almost any signal.
These results will help scientists and regulators assess how vulnerable trains are to geomagnetic storms and alert train operators.