Wouldn't buried lines be protected from any kind of solar flare? All the lines in my neighborhood are buried.
Neighborhood distribution lines are not long enough to be affected (much). The large, high-voltage transformers (greater than 110,000 volts) at either end of long grid runs will be the victims of solar flares. When they melt down, the extensive areas served by them with go without power until they are replaced. There are spares but not enough. It will take at least 6 months to get new 500kV/230kV transformers from China as they are not made here anymore. In the meantime, the spares, if needed, will be allocated to "priority" areas, such as DC, NY, LA, and so on. Everyone else will do without until the new units arrive and are installed.
Wouldn't buried lines be protected from any kind of solar flare? All the lines in my neighborhood are buried.
Has your neighborhood ever experienced power outages? My entire neighborhood has underground utility lines. Yet a downed tree, a downed power pole some miles away...still disrupts my community. Those other overhead lines still provide/service my area...thus my area is vunerable at times. Though I'm in an area that has some priorites...so while surrounding areas my be without power for days/weeks, we're blessed/fortunate to only experience a few hours of disruption,
No. Buried lines are protected from wind and snow damage, but the solar flare is placing a very strong magnetic field over the entire earth. The magnetic lines of flux induce electrical current. The current will be induced in all wiring that is not packaged inside a grounded Faraday cage. The longer the wire, the more power collected. There are very long runs between your home and the electrical generating facility.