Scientists Warn of Possible Geomagnetic Storms Following Powerful Solar Flares

Scientists have warned of a possible increase in geomagnetic disturbances on Earth in the coming days, driven by a renewed surge in solar activity marked by several powerful solar flares.

According to experts at the Laboratory of Solar Activity of the Space Research Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, no severe geomagnetic storms are currently expected despite the high number of intense solar flares recently recorded. 

However, the first magnetic disturbances linked to this uptick in solar activity are likely to reach Earth in the near future.

Researchers explained that solar activity over the first three days of February included five high-intensity X-class X-ray flares and around 50 M-class flares. 

Based on the position of the active regions on the solar disk at the time, any resulting geomagnetic storms are expected to be relatively weak.

In recent days, however, the centers of these active regions have moved into a geoeffective zone, where their impact on Earth becomes more direct. 

Even so, scientists believe the planet is likely to be affected only by the outer edges of previously emitted plasma streams.

The first X-class flare to directly face Earth was observed on Wednesday, but it was not accompanied by a significant coronal mass ejection, which is the primary driver of strong geomagnetic storms.

Meanwhile, solar active region 4366 continues to expand and has reached an exceptionally large size. Only five similarly large regions have been recorded during the current solar cycle. 

Scientists noted that the most flare-productive region on record remains group 3664, which triggered the most powerful level-five geomagnetic storm in more than two decades in May 2024.

Experts said active region 4366 is expected to remain in the high-risk zone for Earth for approximately three more days, meaning the likelihood of further solar flares, including strong ones, remains elevated.

While major disruptions are not anticipated at this stage, scientists continue to closely monitor solar activity for any developments that could lead to stronger geomagnetic effects on Earth.