At the end of March, Geomagnetic Storms threaten the Earth, what are the impacts?

Writer: Arif Budianto

KONTAN.CO.ID – At the end of March, on March 28-29 2022, a geomagnetic storm will pose a threat to Earth. What’s the impact?

Recently, the latest reports regarding an ongoing astronomical phenomenon are geomagnetic storms, also known as solar storms.

Quoting from the Science Times (29/03/2022), the Space Weather Predictin Center (SWPC) and the United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) warned that geomagnetic storms caused by solar bodies would impact Earth before the end of March. .

According to reports, the storm was a warning that space weather events could cause signal interference.

NOAA and SWPC reported that the geomagnetic storm that occurred was class G1. Solar storm conditions are likely to continue until the end of this month, due to the combined effect of the high-velocity coronal hole (CH HSS) heading towards Earth along with the CME ejected from the Sun last Friday.

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CME itself is the term used to describe the ejection or release of corona mass. This large ejection of plasma and magnetic field originates from the Sun’s corona.

Its erratic active state is expected to last on March 28, 2022 as the effects of the CME persist. Most likely it will subside again today (29/03/2022).

Those affected by solar or geomagnetic storms include satellite operations, and spacecraft activity may be affected.

Migratory animals can also be harmed.

According to the US space weather service, the impact region is likely to be at the 60-degree pole in Geomagnetic Latitude.

This can cause aurorae to appear in the sky, visible in the upper United States, including areas of Maine and Michigan.

The good news is that this geomagnetic storm is still in the G1 level, which is the lowest of the five solar storm classifications.

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According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), this US government scientific agency identifies the effects of geomagnetic storms around the world. Here are the effects:

• Because storms can heat up and distort the ionosphere, which relies on long-distance radio communications, global positioning systems (GPS) may become inaccurate.
• Due to the growth of the ionosphere, moving the satellite orbits may become more difficult.
• A static charge can cause damage to satellite electronics.
• Power outages can occur due to voltage spikes.

Looking back, the magnetic storm in 2003 shut down electricity worldwide, causing irreparable damage to power transformers and other electrical infrastructure.

On the other hand, scientists worry that future strong geomagnetic storms will cause an “internet apocalypse”, will people around the world be able to survive without the internet as long as conditions improve again?