As we approach solar maximum — the most active period in the solar cycle — it's no surprise that scientists are looking into the effects of geomagnetic storms on Earth. While increased solar activity often leads to brilliant showings of auroras, it also can wreak havoc on our technological systems here on Earth.
We most commonly see interference in radio transmissions during strong geomagnetic storms, but geomagnetically induced currents (GICs) have been known to take out power lines and transformers, too. A team from the British Geological Survey (BGS) has evaluated the vulnerability of cities' power grids and determined that two American cities are especially at risk during a geomagnetic storm: Milwaukee and Washington, D.C.
