Geomagnetic Storms May Not be Great for Your Health, Experts Say

The Class 3 geomagnetic storm currently hitting Earth is expected to intensify as two subsequent waves of radiation pass by, according to experts at NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center, producing visible auroras as far south as Central Texas overnight.

These storms typically cause severe radio blackouts and interfere with everything from satellites to pipelines, in addition to producing the spectacular light shows in the night skies.

They may also be harmful to human health, according to research.

Although the effects of geomagnetic radiation are still being studied, research suggests these storms can impact the nervous system, potentially leading to issues like changes in heart rate variability, sleep disruptions, and blood pressure regulation, especially during intense events like a G4 level storm.

According to one study on geomagnetic storms and pacemakers:

Earth’s geomagnetic field is essential for life, as it provides protection from charged particles emitted from the sun, via the solar wind.
Changes of the solar wind influence the geomagnetic field.
Solar eruptions, such as solar flares and coronal mass ejections, can lead to dramatic changes.
Of concern, is the fact that these geomagnetic storms can impact the function of electronic instruments.

This study was looking at whether solar activity could influence the occurrence of ventricular arrhythmias, and concluded only that the subject remains unclear, allowing there was limited evidence from small studies suggesting that an inverse relationship between geomagnetic activity (GMA) and the incidence of malignant arrhythmias in humans exists.

The study on pacemakers and solar storms is here.

Synoptic maps of the solar surface are drawn each day by SWPC forecasters, providing forecasters with a broad outline of solar surface features. These maps were started on June 2, 1972 and have been produced daily since then. They show neutral lines, coronal hole boundaries, active regions, plages, filaments and prominences. The maps also have information about coronal hole polarity, list active region numbers, and have flare and proton event probabilities for each region.

While Earth’s atmosphere and magnetosphere usually protect most people from direct harm on the ground, those at high altitudes, or who are in space are usually, at the highest risk for radiation during major storms.

Unfortunately, there’s not much you can do to avoid the effects of this event, short of staying in a bunker, so experts also recommend staying relaxed, to avoid getting your blood pressure elevated about the possible effects.

According to a bulletin from the agency on Wednesday morning, the increasing bombardment of the ionosphere could make the auroras visible as far south as Alabama and southern California.