Understanding the Threat of CMEs: A Deep Dive
Updated: Oct 13
Changing Earth Updates: New Content and Prepper Camp
Sara kicks off with some exciting news: “I’ve been busy, guys, so I haven’t just been slacking.” She’s upgrading Changing Earth videos on YouTube and Rumble. This will bring her survival stories to life with vivid slides. Be sure to head over, like, and subscribe! She’s also wrapping up The Lost Vegas Years, aiming for a September release, and finalizing episodes 1–4 of Season 5 of the Changing Earth Audio Drama. These episodes will be exclusive to Changing Earth and PBN subscribers until the official launch. Additionally, with interviews dropping this summer and Changing Earth ranking #11 on MillionPodcasts.com’s top 50 survival podcasts, Sara’s mission is thriving. Don’t miss Prepper Camp, which Sara calls “the best family reunion ever.” Grab tickets now at PrepperCamp.com before prices rise!
The Carrington Event: A Wake-Up Call
On September 1, 1859, astronomer Richard Carrington witnessed “two blinding patches of light erupt from the sun” through his telescope. Just 17.6 hours later, a massive wave of charged particles slammed into Earth. This phenomenon sparked auroras as far south as Cuba and caused telegraph systems to spark and catch fire. This G5-level Carrington Event exposed the vulnerability of early technology.
Sara reflects, “That’s what makes it so monumental was we went, ‘Oh, that could be a problem, right?’” In our tech-driven world, a similar event could be catastrophic. It could fry power grids and electronics on a global scale.
Understanding CMEs: The Science Behind the Threat
A CME is a massive burst of plasma and magnetic fields from the sun’s corona. It hurls billions of tons of charged particles at speeds of 250 to 3,000 kilometers per second. Sara explains, “They’re magnificent to watch. They just roll off of the sun, and sometimes we can be in the way.”
When these particles hit Earth’s magnetosphere, they trigger geomagnetic storms. These storms are rated from G1 (minor) to G5 (extreme). A G4 storm was expected the night of the podcast, prompting Sara to warn, “You might want to put some of those gadgets in your [Faraday] cage for tonight.”
Satellites, GPS, and power systems are at risk, with the intensity depending on the CME’s speed, mass, and magnetic field strength. The possible disruptions are more than just inconveniences; they can have widespread implications for our daily lives.
The Weakening Shield: Growing Risks
Earth’s magnetic field has weakened by about 20% since 1859. This weakening has created a weak spot over South America and the southern Atlantic, now at just 30% of global field strength. The magnetic poles are shifting 50–60 kilometers yearly toward Siberia.
“We’re definitely losing our magnetic shielding,” Sara notes, citing rapid declines since the 1980s. This trend makes smaller CMEs more dangerous. A CME one-tenth the size of the Carrington Event could now cause G4-level disruptions. These disruptions might lead to radio blackouts or satellite failures, increasing risks for planes, astronauts, and our biology.
The Kill Shot: A Technological Nightmare
The potential impact of a G5 CME could cripple civilization entirely. The damages could reach trillions of dollars. Sara warns, “Transformers… will completely melt down,” rendering power grids offline for months or years. Many transformers are produced overseas, complicating recovery efforts.
Without electricity, essential services suffer. Water treatment plants, food supply chains, and hospitals could fail. GPS, satellites, and the internet may collapse entirely. As Sara quips, “We’re basically back to steam engines.” Chin adds, “Between electricity and refrigeration… it’s pretty intense.” If this scenario unfolds, within six months, 80% of the population could be gone. This would occur due to reliance on technology and medications, leading to societal chaos.
Biological Impacts: The Hidden Threat
CMEs disrupt more than just technology. Their low-frequency waves, between 0.1–100 Hz, can interfere with human brain waves. This interference may cause “increased anxiety, depression, and irritability,” as Sara notes. Chin highlights how these waves “suppress melatonin… it’s crazy the effects it has.”
The psychological toll is significant. These effects can lead to insomnia, fatigue, and impaired focus, making survival harder. Animals are not spared—Sara mentions, “cows might stop producing milk,” disrupting already fragile food sources. Modern pacemakers may be shielded, but the emotional impacts can be overwhelming. “Your brain feels foggy, your emotions are raw,” Sara warns, emphasizing the crucial need for mental preparedness.
Your Survival Game Plan
Sara and Chin stress the importance of proactive preparation. Here’s how to get ready:
Protect Electronics
Faraday Cages: Chin suggests using “ammo cans with cardboard and insulation” to shield radios and medical devices. A microwave or metal box can work too.
Unplug Everything: “Unplug your stuff. That’s the best first protector,” Sara advises.
EMP Shield: Explore available devices from EMP Shield for homes or vehicles. However, Sara cautions, “Who are you going after if it doesn’t work?”
Stock Essentials
Food and Water: Stock up on a month’s worth of non-perishable food. Aim for one gallon of water per person per day, plus filters. Sara praises her Waterfull system for storing 300 gallons.
Cash: “Have cash stashed in small bills,” Sara advises, emphasizing that digital payments will likely fail post-CME.
Build Community and Skills
Community: “The faster you guys can get your community in line, the more people you’re going to be able to save,” Sara emphasizes. Form alliances to share resources and create a support network.
Skills: Develop skills like gardening, first aid, and trades such as mechanics. “If you’ve never put a seed in the ground, you better get practice in right now,” Sara urges.
Mental Preparedness
Practice grounding techniques or meditation to counter anxiety induced by CMEs. “The biggest way I’ve learned to perform under mental duress is to have a game plan ahead of time,” Sara notes. Prepare for emotional chaos when cognitive function is impaired.
Reconnect with Nature
Sara’s mission is clear: “That’s always been one of my purposes in creating the Changing Earth world is to show people how important our relationship with nature is.” A CME would force us to rely on manual skills like gardening and foraging. Start now to build a self-sufficient homestead with seeds, tools, and local resources.
Stay Informed and Connected
For deeper insights, check out Suspicious Observers on YouTube for daily solar updates. Visit ChangingEarthAudio.com for podcast archives. Join the live stream every first Sunday at 5:30 PM CST on Twitter. Sara’s upcoming projects promise even more survival wisdom.
Final Thoughts
A CME could reset humanity to a pre-industrial era. As Sara says, “We need our sheepdogs to be able to stand up. You got to be ready.” Stock up, skill up, and build your community now to face the sun’s fury. What’s your CME game plan? Share in the comments, and let’s prepare together to thrive in the Changing Earth world.
Comments