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Written question asked by Lord Arbuthnot of Edrom (Conservative) on Wednesday, 6 September 2023, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 20 September 2023. It was answered by Lord Callanan (Conservative) on Tuesday, 19 September 2023 on behalf of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.


Space Weather

Question

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Callanan on 6 June (HL7991), what assessment they have made of (1) the size and power of the coronal mass ejection (CME) of 12 March in comparison to that of the “Carrington Event” of 1859, and (2) the impact this CME would have had if it had travelled towards, rather than away from, the Earth.

Answer

The Met Office is responsible for advising the Government of the likelihood and impact of Severe Space Weather, such as coronal mass ejections. An event like that of 12 March travelling towards Earth would have global impacts on key sectors including energy, telecommunications and transport. The Met Office Severe Space Weather Scales set out further information on the potential impacts.


Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL9922
Session
2022-23
Related items
Space Weather
Tuesday, 6 June 2023
Written questions
House of Lords
Subjects
Space weather
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk