🧷 Authentic Classroom Explanation by IAS Monk

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📌 The Question

If a major solar storm (solar flare) reaches the Earth, which of the following are the possible effects on the Earth?

1. GPS and navigation systems could fail.
2. Tsunamis could occur at equatorial regions.
3. Power grids could be damaged.
4. Intense auroras could occur over much of the Earth.
5. Forest fires could take place over much of the planet.
6. Orbits of the satellites could be disturbed.
7. Shortwave radio communication of aircraft flying over polar regions could be interrupted.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1, 2, 4 and 5 only
(b) 2, 3, 5, 6 and 7 only
(c) 1, 3, 4, 6 and 7 only
(d) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7

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✅ Answer

(c)

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🧑‍🏫 Classroom Explanation

Solar flares and associated coronal mass ejections (CMEs) release bursts of electromagnetic radiation and charged particles. When directed toward Earth, they can disturb the magnetosphere and ionosphere, producing geomagnetic storms.

• 1 is correct: GPS signals and satellite navigation can suffer scintillation and outages.
• 2 is not correct: Tsunamis are seismic or oceanic phenomena, unrelated to solar activity.
• 3 is correct: Geomagnetically induced currents can damage transformers and power grids.
• 4 is correct: Auroras can expand to lower latitudes during strong geomagnetic storms.
• 5 is not correct: Solar flares do not cause terrestrial fires; they are electromagnetic events.
• 6 is correct: Increased atmospheric drag and charged particle impacts can disturb satellite orbits and electronics.
• 7 is correct: Polar HF (shortwave) radio communications can be disrupted due to ionospheric disturbances.

Hence, 1, 3, 4, 6 and 7 are correct.

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🔍 Curiosity Raiser

Did you know the Carrington Event (1859) was so powerful that telegraph systems sparked and auroras were seen near the equator?

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📚 Enrichment Notes

• Space weather monitoring helps protect satellites, aviation, and power infrastructure.
• Strong CMEs can cause GPS errors, satellite anomalies, and HF radio blackouts, especially near the poles.
• Power utilities implement grid hardening and operational protocols during severe space weather alerts.

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🪔 IAS Monk Whisper

“The Sun gives life — and sometimes reminds us of our technological fragility.”