Scientists Unveil the Hidden Electrical Structure of the U.S., Exposing Serious Risks

Researchers built the first detailed 3D electrical conductivity map beneath the United States using 18 years of magnetotelluric data from over 1,800 sites.

The map shows that buried geology strongly shapes geoelectric currents triggered by solar storms and coronal mass ejections.

That means some regions may be far more vulnerable to geomagnetic disturbances than others, especially parts of the eastern U.S. and Québec.

The findings could improve forecasts of solar storm impacts and help utilities better protect power grids.