Abstract
THE telegraphic system of this country has, since Friday morning last, been disturbed in a way that far exceeds anything of the kind that has ever happened before. Very powerful electric currents have been swaying backwards and forwards through the crust of the earth, taking all telegraphic circuits in their progress, and entirely stopping communication. Communication has been maintained only where it was possible to loop together two wires, so as to avoid the use of the earth altogether. The electric storm commenced on Thursday, but it reached its climax on Friday morning (November 17) between 10 and 11 a.m. The currents measured over 50 milliampères, which is five times greater than the ordinary working currents. They have repeated themselves at intervals ever since, but have scarcely attained such an intensity as on Friday morning.
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CHRISTIE, W. THE MAGNETIC STORM AND AURORA . Nature 27, 82–87 (1882). https://doi.org/10.1038/027082b0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/027082b0