On Thursday, October 10, 2024, a powerful geomagnetic storm energized Earth’s auroras over Indiana.
On Thursday, October 10, 2024, a powerful geomagnetic storm energized Earth’s auroras. Equipped with a topographic map and waypoints, I ventured into Hoosier National Forest, aiming to capture the extraordinary light show from the historic Hickory Ridge Lookout Tower, located south of Bloomington.
This event was likely one of the best opportunities to witness the aurora this year, as the storm was triggered by a coronal mass ejection (CME) that struck Earth’s magnetosphere on Tuesday. The resulting geomagnetic storm reached G4 levels on the Space Weather Prediction Center’s (SWPC) geomagnetic storm scale, the second-highest rating.
I had visited the Hickory Ridge Lookout Tower the previous day to scout potential viewpoints for the aurora. I hadn’t realized how tall the tower was until then. A year ago, I would have avoided climbing the shaky structure due to my fear of heights, a fear that held me back from many activities during my childhood. But with my partner’s help, I had conquered that fear earlier in the summer, making the 133-step climb to the top relatively easy. The reward was a stunning sunset. While at the summit, I recounted my journey to two Indiana University students who were also enjoying the view. One of them told me, “Never stop adventuring.”
When I returned to the tower for the aurora, I noticed the gravel parking lot was full of cars. I was concerned the fire tower might be crowded, as the seven-foot square cab can only hold a handful of people. However, when I reached the top, I found I had it all to myself. Not long after, the aurora began to reveal itself to the naked eye.
The Hickory Ridge Lookout Tower, situated on the edge of the Charles C. Deam Wilderness, is a 110-foot steel structure built in 1936. It was manned until the 1970s.
Indiana’s first fire tower was erected in 1928 in Clark State Forest, with many others built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. The establishment of Hoosier National Forest in 1935 further increased the demand for fire towers. A major challenge in selecting locations for the towers was the lack of detailed topographic maps; Indiana was one of the few states not fully mapped then. Tower placement was often based on trial and error. After 20 towers were built, a visibility survey revealed that three needed relocation, some had to be raised by 20 feet, and eleven additional towers were required.
By the early 1950s, Indiana had 33 fire lookout towers. However, advancements in land management and the development of aerial fire detection technologies led to a decline in their use. By the late 1970s, the towers had been mostly decommissioned. As of 2024, only one remains in Hoosier National Forest, with seven others still standing in state parks.
After leaving the tower, I traveled to Lake Monroe to meet a fellow photographer and overlander, Wyatt, who was camped near Leaning Tree Point. As I arrived, I looked up and saw the aurora dancing on the horizon—a sight I had never seen before. I stood in awe as shades of pink and green moved synchronously, lasting until about 11 PM.
Be First to Comment