Q. If a major solar storm (solar flare) reaches the Earth, which of the following are the possible effects on the Earth?:
1. GPS and navigation systems could fail.
2. Tsunamis could occur at equatorial regions.
3. Power grids could be damaged.
4. Intense auroras could occur over much of the Earth.
5. Forest fires could take place over much of the planet.
6. Orbits of the satellites could be disturbed
7. Shortwave radio communication of the aircraft flying over polar regions could be interrupted.
Select the correct answer using the code given below;
Exp) Option c is the correct answer.
Solar flares are intense bursts of radiation from the sun that can directly influence electronics on Earth. They are often associated with coronal mass ejections (CMEs), which are large clouds of gas that erupt from the sun’s interior into its atmosphere.
Statement 1 and 3 are correct: The large solar flare is projected to strike satellites in the Earth’s upper atmosphere. Thus it affects GPS navigation, mobile phone transmissions, and satellite TV. The flares might potentially disrupt power grids and electrical networks in various regions of the planet.
Statement 2 is incorrect: Solar flares can temporarily alter the upper atmosphere creating disruptions. But it does not cause Tsunamis. It only affects the upper atmosphere.
Statement 4 is correct: The high-energy particles emitted by the flare could also cause certain atoms in the Earth’s atmosphere to glow, leading to auroras in Central Europe as well as North America. The phenomenon could only be seen if the weather is clear.
Statement 5 is incorrect: There is no causal link between the coronal mass ejections (CMEs) and the deadly forest fires. There is a common misconception that solar storms are associated with extreme geological and atmospheric effects on Earth. The sun cannot produce solar flares or CMEs that physically burn the landscape, if it did, I doubt complex life would have had much of a chance at evolving over the last few billion years if our planet was constantly being sterilized.
Statement 6 is correct: The scientists found that solar flares and storms heated and expanded the atmosphere and that these effects could extend to the satellites’ orbits. The density of atmospheric gases increases, slowing the satellites and causing them to lose altitude by a few kilometres per day.
Statement 7 is correct: Solar flares allow interference with the short wave radios that are being used, emitting more rays allowing people to get more of a sun burn during this time frame.
A study by NASA of polar flights during a solar storm in 2003 showed that passengers received about 12 percent of the annual radiation limit recommended by the International Committee on Radiological Protection. The exposures were greater than on typical flights at lower latitudes, and confirmed concerns about commercial flights using polar routes.
Source: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/sunearth/news/flare-impacts.html
https://www.seeker.com/can-solar-storms-cause-wildfires-1765087584.html
https://www.nasa.gov/centers/langley/science/polar-radiation.html
