Why Magnetic Storms Occur So Frequently and How They Affect People

Understanding Magnetic Storms: Causes, Effects, and Mitigation

Why Magnetic Storms Occur So Frequently and How They Affect People

It seems like every other day, we hear about an impending magnetic storm. Some are weaker, others stronger, but they're all particularly noticeable for people with heightened sensitivity to weather changes or those with cardiovascular or nervous system issues.

What are magnetic storms and when was their existence discovered?

A magnetic storm is a temporary disturbance in our planet's magnetic field caused by intense solar activity.

From Earth's perspective, the Sun might seem constant, but it's far from it. It's like a giant factory in constant activity. It periodically experiences explosions due to the immense amounts of energy accumulated within it. Inside the Sun, nuclear reactions occur, generating vast amounts of heat and light. Sometimes, the Sun's magnetic fields become entangled, storing this energy, and then suddenly release it in the form of flares that erupt from it like a slingshot. These are called solar flares and coronal mass ejections, which can affect Earth's magnetic field when these particles (the solar wind) reach us at speeds of 300-1200 km/s.

The magnetic field is an invisible force that surrounds our planet and protects it from harmful solar radiation and cosmic particles. You can think of it as a giant magnet located inside the Earth, with poles – north and south. Without it, life on our planet would be impossible, as there would be no favorable atmosphere (one of the reasons why there is no life on Mars is its weak magnetic field).

Magnetic storms occurred even before humans. But because we cannot physically see them (except in the form of a strong aurora), people were unaware of their existence until relatively recently. Over a thousand years ago, the Chinese, inventors of the magnetic compass, noticed that its needle could tremble and suddenly deviate. However, they did not know that this was due to solar activity, which leads to fluctuations in the magnetic field.

In scientific literature, the concept of a "magnetic storm" appeared in the mid-19th century, when scientists began meticulously observing changes in the Earth's magnetic field. The first detailed studies were conducted by the German astronomer Alexander von Humboldt, and later continued by Carl Gauss. They discovered that magnetic storms are related to solar activity. It was only in the 20th century that the development of space research made it possible to confirm that magnetic storms are caused by the solar wind and its impact on the magnetosphere.

Why are magnetic storms written about so often?

Magnetic storms can affect technology and human health, so they are closely monitored by meteorological and space agencies. Thanks to modern technology and a large number of satellites, scientists can predict the occurrence of magnetic storms with an accuracy of several hours, and sometimes even minutes, long before they appear. Previously, this required much more time, and sometimes they learned about it only after the fact. Therefore, this is one of the reasons why they are written about a lot in the media, because earlier we could not record them all, and now we can know, as if it were a weather forecast for a week, or even a month.

This is important because magnetic storms can affect satellites, electrical grids, and other technological systems. For example, they can cause malfunctions in electronics, GPS navigation, and even cause corrosion of pipelines and electrical lines.

There is also much discussion about the impact of magnetic storms on human health. Some studies show that people may experience malaise, headaches, or even mood changes during magnetic storms. And this, of course, attracts the attention of the media and the medical community.

For scientists, magnetic storms are an important object of research in the physics of the Earth and space weather. They help to better understand the interaction of the Sun with the Earth and other planets.

It is important to note that most magnetic storms have a moderate impact on our planet, and only very strong ones can cause significant problems. It depends on the period of solar activity, which mainly changes every 11 years. According to scientists' forecasts, 2025 will be the peak year, and after that, solar activity will decline again. Accordingly, this year we expect a lot of news about magnetic storms.

What is the danger to people during magnetic storms and how to reduce their impact?

For most people, magnetic storms do not pose a serious threat, but they can cause temporary health problems. It is known that during strong magnetic storms, some people may experience:

headaches and dizziness;
changes in blood pressure;
impaired concentration;
sleep problems and irritability.

People with cardiovascular diseases and weather-sensitive individuals may be particularly affected by magnetic storms. They have an increased risk of blood pressure spikes and may experience exacerbations of arrhythmia and angina pectoris. There are complaints of headaches, increased fatigue, irritability, and sleep problems.

Also, pregnant women may experience dizziness and increased fatigue. In addition, elderly people are particularly vulnerable to changes in pressure and cardiac stress caused by magnetic storms.

Although doctors and scientists are still researching this effect, statistics show that during strong magnetic storms, calls for emergency medical care due to heart attacks and other serious conditions become more frequent. Therefore, in order to minimize the negative impact, during magnetic storms, if possible, you should: