Earth Faces Severe Geomagnetic Storm from Solar Flare
A massive solar flare from sunspot AR3842 erupted on October 1, 2024, causing a radio blackout over Hawaii and is expected to trigger a severe geomagnetic storm on October 5. This flare, an X7.1, could disrupt communications and power systems. The event underscores the sun's increasing activity during its solar maximum phase, with many more intense flares and storms expected in 2025.
This week, Earth is preparing for a strong geomagnetic storm due to a massive solar flare from sunspot AR3842, which erupted on October 1, 2024.
The flare was an X7.1, the second strongest in five years, and has already caused a radio blackout over Hawaii.
NOAA predicts a coronal mass ejection (CME) from this flare will impact Earth on October 5, potentially causing radio blackouts, power grid issues, and satellite communication disruptions.
NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory captured the flare, highlighting the sun's increasing activity during its solar maximum phase.
The solar cycle influences the sun's activity, with this current maximum starting earlier than expected.
This year alone has seen 41 X-class flares, more than the last nine years combined.
As a result, we may experience more intense solar flares and geomagnetic storms in 2025.