New publications
The Earth has been hit by the strongest magnetic storm in five years
Last reviewed: 01.07.2025
All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
The Earth is experiencing the strongest magnetic storm in the last five years. Charged particles generated by solar flares are bombarding the planet at a speed of 6.5 million kilometers per hour.
Weather-sensitive people are advised to stay at home. Although the storm will hit hard at night, the magnetic situation will remain unfavorable throughout the following day.
The Earth's surface is being bombarded by a stream of charged particles rushing from the center of the solar system at a speed of two thousand kilometers per second. A solar storm is not a rare phenomenon, but scientists have not recorded such space weather as the one that settled around the star this week for five years.
Two powerful flares on the surface of the Sun simultaneously threw hundreds of millions of tons of radioactive particles into space. Some of them reached Earth on Wednesday, but the main blow fell on March 8.
At the same time as this flare, coronal mass ejections occurred. This flare was bifurcated, with a difference of an hour.
The Earth's atmosphere and its electromagnetic field bear the brunt of cosmic radiation. The strongest effects of solar bombardment are recorded at both poles. The Space Weather Forecast Center is working hard on this holiday.
This shock front from the Sun has come to us and is starting to fight with our magnetosphere, which is trying not to let it through. These large fluctuations are a magnetic storm.
Oddly enough, it is not humans but technology that are most at risk from such solar activity. The International Space Station and satellites operating in orbit will also be at risk. Electronic devices, primarily navigation and radio communications, may make mistakes or even fail due to strong electronic impulses.
In this regard, during a magnetic storm, airlines are advised to change routes to avoid flights near the poles. The strongest magnetic storm in recorded history was recorded in 1859. At that time, it caused the failure of telegraph systems throughout Europe and North America.
[ 1 ]