Solar Storm Threatens Earth, World Internet Is Predicted To Die

Solar storms could cause internet apocalypse (NASA Gov)

JAKARTA – Recently a Professor Sangeetha Jyothi from the University of California Irvine revealed the possibility of a solar storm that could turn off the global internet network.

Through the modeling made by Professor Sangeetha, this possibility could occur in the next 20 to 25 years. He said there would be massive internet disruptions, especially on the submarine cable network. This could be due to the possible occurrence of rare solar storms. Because underwater cables use repeaters to amplify long-distance signals.

The repeater is very susceptible to electrical interference. If one of them does not work, it will most likely mess up the entire submarine internet cable network. Sangeetha also explained, a rare solar storm could stop most of the internet infrastructure in the world. In addition, he said the blackout would last for months.

On the other hand, according to professor of computer science Umkishore Ramchandran of the Georgia Institute of Technology, explaining that the internet apocalypse is not necessarily going to happen. Because it has been designed with a strong resistance. If the repeater fails, there will be a website that will reroute the traffic to another route that is still operating automatically.

"At best the impact on internet speed in use is reduced due to spikes in congestion, but it's unlikely to be catastrophic," said professor Umkishore.

Digital Trends reports that solar storm incidents occur on a low scale, with a 1.6 percent to 12 percent chance per decade.

However, the most severe solar storm incident ever occurred in 1921 about 100 years ago. The event is known as the New York Railroad Superstorm which was able to disrupt life at that time. The solar storm caused electric fuses to explode, railroads to stop, and the underwater telegraph system to shut down.

However, if the incident happened again, it is predicted that 20 to 40 million people on earth will live without electricity. In addition, it will also have a significant impact on the economy.