04-17-2007, 02:40 PM
from above link by Raju:
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->This breakdown caused global atmospheric ozone levels to drop by 5%. In comparison, chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and other chemicals have depleted the levels by about 3% in recent years
...
However, unlike CFCs and other ozone-depleting chemicals, which can persist in the atmosphere for some time, the flare-induced ozone thinning probably lasted for just four years,<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Raju,
EMP effects of flares are well known, and a big flare can cause arcing/sparking damaging satellites, and as reported, possibly for electrical equipment on ground too. Electric grid failures have happened during flares.
But even with that superflare of 1859 the damage was not significant at all. And ozone level dropped only 5% for 4 years, not really a big deal.
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->This breakdown caused global atmospheric ozone levels to drop by 5%. In comparison, chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and other chemicals have depleted the levels by about 3% in recent years
...
However, unlike CFCs and other ozone-depleting chemicals, which can persist in the atmosphere for some time, the flare-induced ozone thinning probably lasted for just four years,<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Raju,
EMP effects of flares are well known, and a big flare can cause arcing/sparking damaging satellites, and as reported, possibly for electrical equipment on ground too. Electric grid failures have happened during flares.
But even with that superflare of 1859 the damage was not significant at all. And ozone level dropped only 5% for 4 years, not really a big deal.