Solar Storms in trees!

 Ancient Tree Rings Reveal Solar Storm That Outshone Modern Records

A newly published study in Nature Geoscience has revealed that an intense solar storm struck Earth approximately 14,300 years ago, leaving a clear signature in ancient tree rings preserved in subfossil pines found in the French Alps. This prehistoric space weather event may have been ten times stronger than the most powerful solar storm recorded in modern times.

The researchers analyzed annual growth layers in tree trunks and measured elevated levels of radiocarbon, a form of carbon created when high-energy particles from the Sun collide with Earth’s atmosphere. These particles create a spike in carbon‑14, which then becomes incorporated into growing trees. The levels found in this study point to an extreme solar proton event that likely lasted for several days.

This discovery not only pushes back the earliest known record of a solar storm but also serves as a stark reminder of the potential vulnerability of modern technology. If a similar event occurred today, it could severely impact satellites, power grids, communication networks, and GPS systems across the globe.

One of the most notable aspects of the finding is that the storm did not leave visible auroras or written records, yet its magnitude was locked into nature’s archive. The researchers suggest that such events may occur more frequently than previously thought, although their long timescales make prediction challenging.

The study calls for renewed focus on understanding the frequency and impact of ancient solar storms to better prepare for future space weather threats. Tools such as ice core analysis and continued dendrochronological research could help extend the solar activity timeline further into the past.

Sources

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41561-024-01463-1

https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-68963536

https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1042214