Multiple Solar Flares Could Slam Into Earth, Disrupt Your GPS, Cell Phones

The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which watches the condition of the oceans and atmosphere, says a looming wave of solar storms could cause global chaos, wreck satellite communications and take down the most important power grids in the world over a period of years.

Three large explosions from the sun over the past few days have prompted U.S. government scientists to caution users of satellite, telecommunications and electric equipment to prepare for possible disruptions over the next few days.

With solar activity expected to peak around 2013, the sun is entering a particularly active time and large flares like recent one will likely be common during the next few years.

"The magnetic storm that is soon to develop probably will be in the moderate to strong level," Joseph Kunches, a scientist at MOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center, told Reuters.

The NOAA predicted four "extreme" solar emissions which could threaten the planet this decade.

Similarly, NASA warned that a peak in the sun's magnetic energy cycle and the number of sun spots or flares around 2013 could produce extremely high radiation levels.

This is a special problem in the United States, especially in the East, as federal studies warn that this extreme solar activity and emissions may result in complete blackouts for years, in several areas of the nation.

A storm of similar magnitude today could cause up to $2 trillion in damage globally, according to a 2008 report by the National Research Council, Reuters reports.

Moreover, there may also be disruption of power supply for years together or even decades as geomagnetic currents attracted by the storm could debilitate the transformers.

Last month, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission said U.S. plants affected by a blackout should be able to cope without electricity for at least eight hours and should have procedures to keep the reactor and spent-fuel pool cool for 72 hours.