Can't recall where I heard this, but it was an interview with Michio Kaku on the subject of solar flares. There was one so severe in 1859 that people could read newspapers at night in Cuba due to the brilliant aurora. It knocked out telegraph service.
If such were to happen today, life would come to a standstill. Actually, that would be the least of our troubles, according to Kaku. For their would be a grave risk of nuclear meltdowns at light water nuclear reactors. If the controls go out in one of these storms, a meltdown could not be stopped.
But if such were to happen to a molten-salt reactor, it could be recovered. That's because of its passive safety features.
Sadly, nobody will pay any attention while thinking that this can't happen to them.
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