Strongest Geomagnetic Storm Since January Hits Earth

Earth experienced its strongest geomagnetic storm since January after a solar flare triggered 24 hours of heightened magnetic activity. Meanwhile, another, more powerful solar flare erupted on the Sun, but it is not expected to affect our planet.

In an official statement published on Sunday, the National Center for Space Weather said the geomagnetic storm began at 8:00 a. m. Beijing time on Saturday and lasted for a total of 24 consecutive hours.

The storm was caused by solar activity that began on July 1, when active region 14479 on the Sun produced an X1.1-class solar flare accompanied by a coronal mass ejection.

According to experts, the rapid release of energy and the stream of charged particles created the conditions for the geomagnetic storm to occur.

This is the second strong geomagnetic storm this year after the event on January 20, China Daily reported. The storm also produced impressive auroras visible in some parts of the world.

Based on observations of solar wind speed, plasma temperature and density, as well as changes in the interplanetary magnetic field, scientists believe the impact of the coronal mass ejection is gradually weakening.

On Sunday, the Sun produced another powerful X1.3-class flare, which caused serious disruptions to high-frequency radio communications over North America. Frequencies below 20 megahertz temporarily became unusable.