However, the electrically isolated portion of the vapor arm is grounded to its pedestal via a chain each time the arm is stowed. Static charges could not persist in the arm from an earlier load. It is also improbable that static charges could persist on other parts of the terminal, as they would dissipate through the cathodic protection system. Geomagnetic storms may induce currents in long pipelines. The effects of these storms are most noticeable at high latitudes near the magnetic poles.
Auroral displays occur simultaneously.
Intense magnetic storms may induce currents in the tens of amps in long pipelines. The geomagnetically induced current was probably on the order of milliamps, an inconsequential amount of current. There is an abundance of electric wiring on the berth, including control circuits to the pneumatic and hydraulic solenoids, transducer outputs, and heat tracing. The heat tracing has not been put back into service since summer berth construction. Because the terminal and berth are extremely large metal structures, they possess significant internal resistance and capacitance.