Massive Solar Storm could devistate Earth

Scientists predict that a huge solar storm could occur in the near future, causing chaos for the U.S., along with other countries, possibly shutting down power nationwide, leading to a nightmarish scenario that could include failures of transportation, communication and financial systems; shutdowns of government services; and a lack of safe drinking water, food and medication. Solar storms form when intense bursts of plasma erupt from the surface of the sun, creating what's called a coronal mass ejection (CME). These eruptions can produce electromagnetic interference that wreaks havoc with electricity-dependent technology on Earth. Even though the chances are low of such a thing happening,researchers say that our increasing reliance on technology makes it crucial to be prepared for such a calamity. If a big solar storm were to hit the nation, power grid operators could minimize the damage if they had enough of a warning.