UPDATE (OCT. 10, 4:00 PM PDT): The storm is intensifying. A major crack has opened in Earth's magnetic field. If it stays open, storm levels could escalate to category G5 (Extreme) during the night of Oct. 10-11, bringing bright and widespread auroras to the USA. Aurora alerts: SMS Text
A SOLAR STORM JUST HIT EARTH: The CME launched by Tuesday's X-flare hit Earth today, Oct. 10th (1515 UTC), and it appears to be as potent as advertised. Geomagnetic storms are underway with intensities fluctuating between G2 (Moderate) and G4-class (Severe). If it is dark where you are, be alert for auroras!
Update: Auroras have been observed in Virginia, Washington DC, France, Denmark, Australia, Switzerland, Germany, Italy, Hungary, England, and Scotland. And India!!
ELECTRIC CURRENTS ARE FLOWING THROUGH THE GROUND: Electrical currents are flowing through rocks and soil in the United States in response to today's geomagnetic storm. Red zones in this map from NOAA show where the geoelectric voltages are highest:
Peak voltages in the US midwest are near 5 V/km, more than 100x normal values when the sun is quiet. Fortunately, today's peaks are only about 25% of what caused the Great Quebec Blackout in 1989. Power outages are therefore unlikely.
The map, above, is a snapshot from a real-time display that takes into account the 3D conductivity of the Earth and ongoing geomagnetic activity. A computer at NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center crunches the data to produce minute-by-minute estimates of electricity in the ground. These estimates help managers of public ultilities safeguard the power grid and keep power flowing to customers even during intense storms.
Earth Getting SLAMMED