| Features of the Earth's natural electromagnetic environment have many practical applications, from navigation to HF radio communication. However, the same electromagnetic environment can also have negative consequences. Activities in near-Earth space, such as satellite broadcasting, Earth observation, GPS , and the International Space Station are vulnerable to sudden changes in the geomagnetic field and in the radiation environment caused by space weather events. Building long conducting networks such as power lines, pipelines, or telephone cables on the surface of the Earth changes the electromagnetic environment . Because of significant inductive coupling to the geomagnetic field, these networks became vulnerable to variations of magnetic field such as those that occur during geomagnetic storms. In extreme cases the disruptions in distribution of the electric energy, communications or unexpected degrading of the pipeline can lead to conditions hazardous to people. Effects on these systems are greater at higher latitudes where geomagnetic disturbances are especially severe. Canada, which is bisected by the auroral zone, is particularly vulnerable, which prompted Natural Resources Canada to begin research on geomagnetic hazards more than 25 years ago. Research has been directed into three areas: forecasting of geomagnetic activity; determining the geomagnetic climate in different regions of the country; and mitigating the effects of geomagnetic activity on power lines and pipelines by understanding the underlying physical processes. |
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