In May 2024, a powerful solar storm lit up the Earth's skies with vibrant auroras and had effects that reached deep into the ocean.
Ocean Networks Canada (ONC) recorded significant distortions in the Earth's magnetic field using magnetic compasses designed to monitor the ocean off the coast of Canada. These disturbances highlighted the intensity of the storm and provided valuable data for future studies on solar storms.
Physicist Justin Albert, from the University of Victoria, noted that these aurora phenomena are expected to become more frequent. "The next two years will be the peak of the 11-year solar cycle. After a decade of relative inactivity, aurora events are likely to become more frequent in the coming years, although solar variability makes accurate prediction of such events impossible," he explains. The ONC data could provide crucial information on the effects of solar activity on the Earth's magnetism.
Solar storms, or geomagnetic storms, are massive eruptions on the Sun that eject billions of tons of material into the Solar System. When these coronal mass ejections (CMEs) hit the Earth, they interact with our magnetic field, giving rise to amazing auroras and other significant impacts.
These interactions can generate electrical currents that cause spikes in the power grid, disrupt navigation and communication systems and affect aircraft and satellites in near-Earth space, explains Science Alert.
The ONC operates underwater observatories off the east and west coasts of Canada at depths of up to 2.7 kilometers. These observatories use compasses to guide acoustic Doppler current profilers (ADCPs), which monitor ocean currents. ONC data specialist Alex Slonimer first observed unusual compass data in March 2024, attributing the anomalies to solar flares rather than earthquakes.
Solar activity that began around May 10 caused pronounced effects on a compass located 25 meters below sea level in Folger Passage, off Vancouver Island. The needle deviated by +30 and -30 degrees, indicating the strong influence of the solar storm.
This unexpected discovery suggests that data from underwater instruments could become a valuable tool for understanding the geographical extent and intensity of solar storms.
As the Sun continues its cycle of activity, the knowledge gained from ONC observations will help scientists better understand and predict the impacts of solar storms on our planet. This knowledge is crucial to prepare for and mitigate the effects of such events on technology and infrastructure.
