Bracing for the geomagnetic storms
Article Abstract:
A geomagnetic storm on Mar 13, 1989, caused by a gigantic solar flare three days earlier, caused much of the Canadian province of Quebec to lose power, including the cities of Montreal and Quebec City. Geomagnetic activity is approaching its 11-year peak, which means power utilities will need to prepare for storms similar to the one that caused the massive power outages in Quebec. Rarified plasma of protons and electrons emitted by the sun, called solar wind, interacts with the earth's magnetic field and is affected by solar flares, coronal holes and disappearing filaments. Fluctuations in the solar wind caused by these phenomena result in auroral currents, or electrojets, in the earth's magnetic field that travel in circles from pole to pole. Measuring the earth-surface potential as magnetic fields fluctuate, the causes of the massive Quebec outage in 1989 and the effect of the storms on communications networks are described.
Publication Name: IEEE Spectrum
Subject: Engineering and manufacturing industries
ISSN: 0018-9235
Year: 1990
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Accountability and a metric for credibility and compliance
Article Abstract:
Managers, regulators and politicians' credibility can be judged by past performance, though this has limitations. It cannot be applied to untested threats and may not be predictive. A proposed metric would be useful for commissions, rather than promises not to allow something to happen. increased accountability and standardized performance assessment can bring benefits by reducing uncertainty and allowing data collection and monitoring to be carried out more efficiently.
Publication Name: Journal of Institutional & Theoretical Economics
Subject: Economics
ISSN: 0932-4569
Year: 1995
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Inspired pleasures
Article Abstract:
The best summer beach towns and mountain resorts in the US are presented. Mount Rainier offers panoramic views, while Telluride, CO, boasts of a ski resort and a Labor Day film festival. The best summer offering comes from Ashland, OR, with its Oregon Shakespeare Festival.
Publication Name: New Choices: Living Even Better After 50
Subject: Seniors
ISSN: 1085-1003
Year: 1996
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