Researchers report that space weather events could endanger railway safety

Researchers at the University of Lancaster in the UK have determined that significant space weather events could interfere with railway signalling systems at sea level, on Earth, thereby creating safety risks and even causing accidents. Severe space weather events could create what are called ‘geomagnetically induced currents’ (GICs) which could interfere with electrical systems, including transmission and distribution grids. (GICs caused major power cuts in Canada’s Quebec province in 1989 and …