Biggest Solar Flare In Years Headed For Earth

CBS Los Angeles:

After the initial blast of radiation accompanying the coronal mass ejection (CME) — the first of its magnitude to occur in the new solar cycle of activity — a huge cloud of charged particles is headed toward Earth and is expected likely to arrive on Feb. 17-18.

Among the many potential disasters that can come from a massive CME: disturbances in the planet’s geomagnetic field that may lead to malfunctioning telecom and GPS satellite equipment.

While forecasters predict no major impact on our telecommunications infrastructure, scientists have pointed out the sun is now ramping up ahead of an expected solar maximum around 2013.

An increase in severe weather, earthquakes and volcanic activity can be expected over the next 5-8 days due to the unsettled magnetic field of the earth.

Brace yourself, it will be a long walk til March....

See the effects of solar flares upon global weather and earthquakes here.