Solar Storms, 2012, and the Beginning of the End

Many dismiss the apocalyptic 2012 theories as sensationalism, saying no end will come. Perhaps this is true. But can we really afford to take the risk of being unprepared? The linked article, which describes one of the most credible 2012 theories to date, says no.

The article details the consequences, in a Q&A, of something called geomagnetic apocalypse. Earth is surrounded by a magnetic field that protects us from solar flares and other phenomena. However, there is an unusually large gap in this shield, and it happens to line up with the next solar maximum, when the solar flares and storms will be liveliest. All of these things will happen sometime in winter 2012. The intense waves of energy released by the sun will short circuit all of earths power grids, plunging us into darkness and chaos, an international blackout that would take decades to recover from and trillions of dollars to repair.

So what can be done to prepare for this potentially catastrophic event? Well, we could encourage our politicians to invest in "smart" power grids. These are run by computerized transformers that distribute bursts of energy rather than absorbing them and malfunctioning. It would be a good start to making safer power grids internationally, and with 2012 already happening, we haven't a moment to lose.

http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2009/04/2012storms/