It’s been long known that Earth is vulnerable to intense solar storms, but now scientists have quantified the largest magnetic storms in history. In a new study, researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research in Germany have identified the 11 biggest solar storms on record, some of which date back to the 19th century. The findings could help scientists better prepare for future storms.

The largest magnetic storm took place in 1859, during what is known as the Carrington Event. The storm caused auroras to be seen as far south as Cuba and Hawaii, and it also caused telegraph systems around the world to fail. According to the study, the magnetic field of the Earth increased by 230 percent during the storm.

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source: Phys.org