Ancient Tree Rings Uncover Massive Solar Storm from 14,000 Years Ago

Tree rings from ancient Scots pine trees in the French Alps have revealed evidence of the largest-known solar storm, which occurred 14,300 years ago during the last Ice Age. The solar storm, characterized by a burst of energetic particles from the sun, would have caused significant damage to satellites and electricity grids if it had occurred today. The storm resulted in a spike in radiocarbon levels detected in the tree rings, indicating the absorption of high-energy particles into the trees' tissue. The study highlights the potential catastrophic impact of solar storms on modern society, including nationwide blackouts, damage to satellites, and radiation risks to astronauts and aviation.