End of world warning: Violent solar flares could destroy the earth at any moment

End of world warning: Violent solar flares could destroy the earth at any moment | Nature | News | Daily Express:
"VIOLENT solar superstorms could destroy life as we know it at ANY MOMENT, shocked scientists have warned today.
It is “only a matter of time” before a catastrophic eruption on the surface of the sun hurtles towards the planet with devastating consequences.
The Earth could be the target of an explosion equivalent to “10 billion Hiroshima bombs exploding at the same time”.
It has emerged crisis meetings have been held to discuss how to limit the damage of solar superstorms which present a “long-lasting” threat to all forms of life.
Scientists warn communication systems will be crippled, vital services such as transport, sanitation and medicine will close, and loss of power will plunge the planet into darkness.
Ashley Dale, member of international task force SolarMAX set up to identify the risks of a solar storm, said: “Without power, people would struggle to fuel their cars at petrol stations, get money from cash dispensers or pay online.
“Water and sewage systems would be affected too, meaning that health epidemics in urbanised areas would quickly take a grip, with diseases we thought we had left behind centuries ago soon returning.”"