Severe G4 Geomagnetic Storm: Causes, Impacts, and Global Effects

Context

Northern lights were reported across mid-latitudes during a night of rapidly fluctuating geomagnetic conditions that fluctuated between G1, G2, G3 and G4 storm levels.

About Geomagnetic Storms

• • A geomagnetic storm is a severe disturbance in Earth’s magnetosphere caused by enhanced energy transfer from the Sun to the near-Earth space environment, leading to large-scale variations in Earth’s magnetic field.

• Formation

• • • Energy produced by nuclear fusion in the Sun is released as radiation and charged particles.
    • These charged particles continuously flow outward as the solar wind.
    • At times, the Sun ejects massive clouds of magnetised plasma called coronal mass ejections (CMEs).
    • When fast solar wind or CMEs reach Earth, they collide with Earth’s magnetic field, disturbing the magnetosphere and triggering geomagnetic storms.

• Favourable Conditions for Geomagnetic Storms

• • Sustained high-speed solar wind directed toward Earth for several hours.
  • A southward-oriented solar wind magnetic field, opposite to Earth’s magnetic field, enables efficient energy transfer into the magnetosphere.

Classification of Geomagnetic Storms

Impacts of G4 Geomagnetic Storms

• Satellite Operations: Increased drag on low-Earth orbit satellites and disruption of satellite electronics and communication links.
• Power Systems: Voltage instability, transformer heating, and increased risk of damage to power transmission networks.
• Communication Systems: Disruption of high-frequency radio communications, particularly on the sunlit side of Earth.
• Navigation Systems: Reduced accuracy of GPS and other satellite-based navigation systems during the storm.
• Auroral Effects: Strong geomagnetic storms cause the auroral oval to expand, allowing auroras to be visible at much lower latitudes than usual.

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