Scientists have identified the most powerful solar storm in human history, which occurred around 12350 BC during the Late Glacial period. This extreme solar particle event (ESPE) was approximately 18% stronger than the previously recognized record-holder from 775 AD and an astonishing 500 times more intense than the largest solar storm of the modern satellite era. The discovery, published in Earth and Planetary Science Letters on April 28, 2025, pushes the boundaries of what we know about extreme solar behavior.
Key Findings and Implications
The international research team, led by scientists from the University of Oulu, Finland, and CEREGE, France, used a chemistry-climate model named SOCOL:14C-Ex to analyze radiocarbon data preserved in ancient tree rings. The massive solar outburst left its signature as an enormous spike in radiocarbon (14C) levels. This event establishes a new worst-case scenario for space weather threats to our modern technological infrastructure.
A solar storm of this magnitude hitting Earth today could disable satellite communications systems, trigger widespread power grid failures, disrupt critical electronic infrastructure, expose astronauts to dangerous radiation levels, and create severe radio blackouts. Understanding the scale of this event is critical for evaluating the risks posed by future solar storms.