Extreme Atmospheric Radiation Environments and Single Event Effects

Data from ground-level radiation monitors and cosmogenic nuclides are combined to give a probability distribution for severe radiation events related to the well quantified event of February 23, 1956. Particle fluxes, single event effects rates, and dose rates are calculated for ground level and aerospace systems. The event of February 1956 would provide a challenge to air safety while more extreme events seen in historical records would challenge safety-critical ground systems. A new space weather hazard scale based on this event could be used to give rapid assessment of the radiation hazard using high-latitude neutron monitor data.