May 1921 geomagnetic storm

The three-day May 1921 geomagnetic storm was caused by the impact of an extraordinarily powerful coronal mass ejection on Earth's magnetosphere. It occurred on 13–15 May as part of solar cycle 15, and was the most intense geomagnetic storm of the 20th century.[1] Since it occurred before the extensive interconnectivity of electrical systems and the general electrical dependence of infrastructure in the developed world, its effect was restricted; however, its ground currents were up to an order of magnitude greater than those of the March 1989 geomagnetic storm which interrupted electrical service to large parts of northeastern North America.[2] The storm's electrical current sparked a number of fires worldwide, including one near Grand Central Terminal which made it known as the "New York Railroad Storm".[1] Contemporary scientists estimated the size of the sunspot (AR1842)[1] which began on May 10th—and caused the storm—as 94,000 by 21,000 miles (131,000 km by 33,800 km).[3][4]

The storm was extensively reported in New York City, which was a center of telegraph activity as a railroad hub.[5] Auroras ("northern lights") appeared throughout the eastern United States, creating brightly-lit night skies. Telegraph service in the U.S. first slowed and then virtually stopped at about midnight on 14 May due to blown fuses and damaged equipment. Radio propagation was enhanced during the storm due to ionosphere involvement, however, enabling unusually good long-distance reception. Electric lights were not noticeably affected.[6]

Undersea telegraph cables were affected by the storm. Damage to telegraph systems was also reported in Europe [7] and the Southern Hemisphere.[8]