Researchers warn that Solar storms can cause train accidents on Earth

Researchers from Lancaster University have determined that changes in space weather, particularly powerful solar storms, can lead to disruptions in transportation, potentially causing accidents such as train collisions. The study reveals that solar storms can induce strong magnetic disturbances on Earth, influencing rail signals and posing significant threats to railway infrastructure.

PhD researcher Cameron Patterson emphasized the critical implications of their findings, stating, “Crucially, our research suggests that space weather is able to flip a signal in either direction, turning a red signal green or a green signal red. This is obviously very significant from a safety perspective.” The ability of space weather to alter signals poses a considerable risk to railway safety.

Solar storms can also interfere with electricity and distribution systems, resulting in blackouts in specific regions. The researchers noted that these disruptions can occur at lower geoelectric field strengths, meaning even weaker storms could trigger such incidents.

Patterson highlighted the importance of recognizing the potential risks associated with severe and extreme space weather events. He stated, “When we experience severe space weather which happens every few decades or extreme space weather seen every century or two, then there is a potential for significant signaling misoperation, which has an obvious safety impact.”

The research underscores the need to take space weather as a serious natural hazard, despite its relatively rare occurrence. Patterson stressed that while high-impact, low-frequency events are challenging to plan for, ignoring them is not a viable approach.

Jim Wild, Professor of Space Physics at Lancaster University, noted that various industries, including aviation, electricity generation, space, and railways, are evaluating the threats posed by changes in space weather to their safety systems. He suggested that efficient space weather forecasting mechanisms could help prevent incidents, stating, “As our understanding of the space weather hazard improves, it’s possible to consider how to reduce the risks. In the future, we could see space weather forecasting being used to make decisions about limiting railway operations if an extreme event is expected, just as meteorological forecasts are used currently.”