Prelims 2022 · Science and Technology · Question 40
If a major solar storm (solar flare) reaches the Earth, which of the following are the possible effects on the Earth?
- GPS and navigation systems could fail.
- Tsunamis could occur at equatorial regions.
- Power grids could be damaged.
- Intense auroras could occur over much of the Earth.
- Forest fires could take place over much of the planet.
- Orbits of the satellites could be disturbed.
- Shortwave radio communication of the aircraft flying over polar regions could be interrupted.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Answer
1, 3, 4, 6 and 7 only
1. GPS and navigation systems could fail — Correct. Solar storms disturb the ionosphere and satellite signals, degrading or disrupting GPS/navigation accuracy.
2. Tsunamis could occur at equatorial regions — Incorrect. Tsunamis are caused mainly by undersea earthquakes, volcanic eruptions or landslides, not solar flares.
3. Power grids could be damaged — Correct. Geomagnetically induced currents during major solar storms can overload transformers and damage power transmission systems.
4. Intense auroras could occur over much of the Earth — Correct. Strong geomagnetic storms can push auroral activity far beyond polar regions into much lower latitudes.
5. Forest fires could take place over much of the planet — Incorrect. Solar storms do not directly trigger widespread global forest fires as a standard Earth impact.
6. Orbits of the satellites could be disturbed — Correct. Solar activity heats and expands the upper atmosphere, increasing drag on low-Earth-orbit satellites and altering their orbits.
7. Shortwave radio communication of the aircraft flying over polar regions could be interrupted — Correct. Polar routes are especially vulnerable because solar storms can disrupt HF/shortwave radio through ionospheric disturbances.
Hence, the correct set is 1, 3, 4, 6 and 7 only.