Definition/ description

... a cloud of plasma, or superheated gas, being blasted away from the Sun at anywhere from roughly 1 to 5 million miles per hour

...eruptions of charged particles, i.e. protons  and electrons, from the Sun which predominately follow the prevailing interplanetary magnetic fields (the pinwheel effect).

… an eruption of radio emissions from the Sun which appears to be a very bright spot and a gaseous surface eruption which occur abruptly and with little warning.

Timing from Sun to Earth

17-96 hours

10-30 minutes

8 minutes

Impact to Earth’s Atmosphere

The impact of the material hurled at Earth impacts and distorts the Earth’s magnetosphere. This distortion creates magnetic field fluctuations that create induced currents in the atmosphere and on the ground. 

The charged particles interact with the atmosphere to help increase the density of the ionosphere. 

The impacts of these radio waves can heat the Earth’s atmosphere and create a layer known as the ionosphere. 

Impacts to Human Life

The induced currents can cause issues with long power lines and pipelines, while the particles themselves can damage satellites. 

Risks include blackout of high frequency radio communications near the polar regions, and possible increase in radiation risks to astronauts and high altitude polar routes. Satellites may experience bit flops that may result in memory loss as well as cause spurious signals to send false commands.

Impacts include degradation or impairment of GPS & HF Communications.