What are magnetic storms? How magnetic storms affect human health.

We have all heard about such a mysterious phenomenon as magnetic storms, as well as the fact that they arise as a result of the influence of our luminary. In this article, we will take a closer look at what magnetic storms are and find out how they affect the sphere of human activity and the people themselves.

One of distinguishing features The Earth is its magnetosphere - a constant magnetic field that envelops the planet and prevents harmful effects cosmic radiation living organisms that live on the surface of the earth. In the direction of the Sun, the Earth's magnetosphere extends for about 10 Earth radii, and in reverse side- about 100 Earth radii. By the way, origin and retention magnetic field The land has not been elucidated for certain to this day. Of the existing theories, the dominant assumption is that the constant field is generated by internal electric currents that arise on the surface of the liquid metallic earth's core due to the temperature difference in its various layers.

Variable magnetic field emanating from the sun

In addition to the constant magnetic field of the Earth, an alternating magnetic field is also emitted, caused by various external sources, mainly the Sun.

Solar Activity

As you know, solar activity has its maxima and minima, which are determined by . Changes in the magnetic field of the Sun, directly related to the 11-year solar cycle, periodically cause emissions of solar matter into the interplanetary medium. The solar matter itself is represented by plasma, mostly helium-hydrogen, - a set of highly ionized (charged) particles. The flow of such particles ejected by the Sun is called.

Depending on the phase of the 11-year solar cycle, there is a possibility of a solar flare, which is often attributed to affecting the Earth's magnetosphere. As a result of the interaction of individual parts of the solar magnetic field with different polarities (for example, the collision of sunspots arising as a result of reaching the surface of the Sun lines of force electric field) there is an explosive release of solar energy, mostly in the form of electromagnetic radiation, hence the name - "flare". This phenomenon is observed directly on the solar disk and is sometimes mistaken for a coronal mass ejection, which has a different effect on the Earth's magnetic field.

Unlike a solar flare, which releases energy in the form of electromagnetic radiation and covers almost all layers of the Sun, a coronal mass ejection occurs only within the solar corona, and most of his energy is not on electromagnetic radiation, but on the acceleration of huge masses of solar matter. This substance, consisting of charged particles, when it enters the Earth's magnetosphere, causes phenomena such as magnetic storms. Coronal mass ejections are many times more energetic than solar flares.

What is a magnetic storm?

The phenomenon of a magnetic storm originates from the interaction of ionized, charged particles arriving from interplanetary space with the Earth's magnetic field. As a result, the latter begins to resent, hesitate, tremble.

Let's take a closer look at the Earth's magnetosphere, which is characterized by the so-called radiation belt - a region of the geomagnetic field in which charged particles, such as electrons and protons, linger and accumulate. Conventionally, the radiation belt can be divided into the inner one, located under the most powerful part of the Earth's magnetic field, and the outer one, located on outside magnetosphere.

Charged particles accumulated in the Earth's radiation belt at a distance of 10,000 - 60,000 km form electric currents in the form of a torus lying in the plane of the Earth's equator. This phenomenon is called ring current. Fluctuations in the Earth's magnetic field, called magnetic storms, mainly manifest themselves as changes in the ring current.

Schematic representation of the earth's magnetic field

Impact on the technosphere

Since during a magnetic storm the magnetic flux passing through a closed conducting circuit can change, there is electromagnetic induction, that is, an electric current is born in this circuit. Such frames on the surface of the Earth are power lines, railway lines, gas and oil pipelines, and so on. The occurrence of such currents can lead to various kinds of breakdowns and even catastrophes. famous example The aftermath of a magnetic storm is the 1989 disaster that occurred in the Canadian province of Quebec. As a result of a magnetic storm, the resulting induced electric currents in the Quebec power system burned out the transformers. The entire province was out of power for 9 hours.

emergence induction currents in pipelines leads to damage to the anti-corrosion protection, which significantly affects the life of the pipeline.

The combined influence of coronal mass ejections and solar flares also affects space technology, such as electrostatic discharges on satellites or damage solar panels. Magnetic storms also affect the on-board equipment of aircraft, including passenger ones, several thousand of which fly daily. In addition, one of the consequences of the impact of a geomagnetic storm on the Earth's atmosphere is the swelling of the latter (an increase in the density of the atmosphere). For this reason, the trajectory of satellites and orbital stations may be disturbed. A similar event occurred in 1979, when the only orbital station USA - Skylab began to rapidly decline, and not being able to rise to the desired orbit, it was directed by the control center to be flooded.

Impact on a person

During increased solar activity due to magnetic storms, the earth's atmosphere can heat up significantly, which leads to a change in its pressure. Similar changes can affect people with cardiovascular disease. According to statistics, during magnetic storms, due to the deterioration in the well-being of such people, the frequency of emergency calls increases by 20%.

It is known that oscillations occur in the human body at different levels, and among them several resonances (about 10 Hz) can be distinguished, which coincide with the resonances of the upper layers of the atmosphere (ionosphere), irradiated and ionized as a result of solar activity. Today, a number of studies of the relationship between the ionosphere and human health are being carried out.

It is difficult to say anything concretely about the influence of magnetic storms, although research in this area is being actively conducted. According to surveys and observations, as well as the statistics obtained in this way, one can note an increase in the incidence of migraines, headaches and joint pain, insomnia or drowsiness, tachycardia and exacerbation of chronic diseases in people. There are a number of medical, and not only, ways to mitigate the impact of magnetic storms on humans.

Obvious is the harm of increased solar activity (flares on the Sun) for people in space or on board aircraft. During solar flares, as mentioned earlier, a large number of energy is released in the form of radiation, which adversely affects the human body.

Duration from several hours to several days, caused by the arrival of disturbed high-speed solar wind streams and the associated shock wave in the vicinity of the Earth. Geomagnetic storms occur mainly in the middle and low latitudes of the Earth.

As a result of solar flares, great amount matter (mainly protons and electrons), part of which, moving at a speed of 400-1000 km / s, in one or two days reaches earth's atmosphere. The Earth's magnetic field captures charged particles from outer space. Too much particle flow perturbs the planet's magnetic field, causing the characteristics of the magnetic field to change rapidly and strongly.

Thus, a geomagnetic storm is a rapid and strong change in the Earth's magnetic field that occurs during periods of increased solar activity.

The peak of solar activity during the previous solar cycle occurred in 2001-2002, when solar winds came from the surface of our star almost constantly, and sunspots reached their maximum. At the same time, experts noted the extremely unfavorable consequences of activity for our planet - electronic equipment failed, the satellites in orbit worked with errors.

The most powerful flare in the history of observational astronomy occurred on November 4, 2003. Its energy, as shown by calculations, could be enough to supply electricity to a city like Moscow for 200 million years.

The impact of magnetic storms on human life and health

Geomagnetic storms have an impact on many areas of human activity, from which communication and navigation system disruptions can be distinguished. spaceships, the occurrence of surface charges on transformers and pipelines, and even the destruction of energy systems.

Magnetic storms also affect the health and well-being of people. They are dangerous primarily for those who suffer from arterial hypertension and hypotension, heart disease. Approximately 70% of heart attacks, hypertensive crises and strokes occur during solar storms.

Magnetic storms are often accompanied by headaches, migraines, heart palpitations, insomnia, poor health, decreased vitality, and pressure drops. Scientists attribute this to the fact that when the magnetic field fluctuates, capillary blood flow slows down and oxygen starvation of tissues occurs.

In the 1930s in Nice (France), it was accidentally noticed that the frequency of myocardial infarctions and strokes in the elderly increased dramatically on days when there were severe disruptions in the work of the local telephone exchange, up to a complete cessation of communication. Subsequently, it was found that telephone communication disruptions occur during magnetic storms. On this basis, it was concluded that heart attacks and strokes, like the breakdowns themselves telephone network associated with magnetic storms.

At one time, sharp disputes were caused by the question of the influence of solar activity on the occurrence of accidents and injuries in transport and in production. This was first pointed out back in 1928 by Alexander Chizhevsky, and in the 1950s, German scientists Reinhold Reiter and Karl Werner, from an analysis of about 100,000 car accidents, established their sharp increase on the second day after a solar flare. Later, a Russian forensic physician from Tomsk, Vladimir Desyatoe, discovered a sharp increase in the number of suicides (by 4-5 times compared to the days of the quiet Sun) also on the second day after the solar flare. And this just corresponds to the beginning of magnetic storms.

According to various sources, from 50 to 75% of the Earth's population are subject to the negative effects of magnetic storms. In this case, the moment of the onset of the stress reaction can be shifted relative to the onset of the storm for different periods for different storms and for specific person. Many people begin to react not to magnetic storms themselves, but 1-2 days before them, i.e. at the moment of flares on the Sun itself.

It has also been observed that up to 50% of the planet's population is capable of adaptation, i.e. to the reduction to zero of the reaction to several successive magnetic storms with an interval of 6-7 days, and that young people practically do not feel the effects of magnetic storms.

The theory of the influence of magnetic storms on humans has opponents who are of the opinion that gravitational perturbations associated with a change in the relative position of the Earth, Moon and planets solar system, are immeasurably small in comparison with those to which people are exposed in ordinary life(shaking, acceleration and braking in public transport, sharp descent and ascent, etc.).

The material was prepared on the basis of information from RIA Novosti and open sources

Earth, which can last from several hours to several days. It arises as a result of the interaction of solar wind flows and the planet's magnetosphere. A magnetic storm (geomagnetic) is the most important component of the physics of the interaction between the Earth and the Sun and is called "space weather". The indices Dst and Kp are used to describe the storm and its power. Most often, such field disturbances are observed in the middle and low latitudes of the Earth.

The birth of a storm

The sun is a huge vat filled with seething atoms. The farther the light from our planet, the stronger it is able to influence it with the power of its wind. If the flow velocity is about 300 km/s, then everything is in order on Earth, there is a geomagnetic calm.

Periodically on the Sun there are spots called flares. Their magnetic field is much stronger than the earth's. Their power can be compared with the simultaneous eruption of 10 million volcanoes or with the strongest explosion of 200-250 hydrogen bombs. As a result of such flashes, a large number of protons and electrons are ejected into space. The earth, being a strong magnet, attracts them to itself, violates its own field, and it begins to change its properties. This implies the conclusion that a geomagnetic storm is a sharp change in the magnetic constancy of our planet as a result of the high activity of the Sun.

The connection between man and the storm

It has been proven that a number of external natural factors affect the general well-being of a person. One of the first places among them is a geomagnetic storm. It has a strong effect on a person, primarily affecting the cardiovascular system. It has been noticed that on such days people get tired faster, tachycardia malfunctions. According to statistics on cases of myocardial infarction in the Moscow region, over the past 3 years, 13% of cases occurred precisely during periods of geomagnetic instability. After the study, the scientists proposed to equip the ambulance teams with instruments showing the change in the Earth's magnetic field.

In addition, it has been proven that during geomagnetic storms the number of car accidents increases, and the number of suicides increases by 4-5 times compared to auspicious days. About 60% of the world's population is susceptible not only to changes in the magnetic field, but also to solar flares themselves. It is impossible to hide from the adverse effects, but there are places where a person is most strongly affected:

In airplane. At an altitude of 10,000 m, a person is not protected by an air layer, as on Earth. Plane crashes happen more often on turbulent days.
In the north. Residents of cities located north of the 60th parallel, more often than others, are exposed to space weather.

In underground tunnels and subways. There are low frequency electromagnetic fields, which are much more dangerous than natural outbreaks and storms. Their highest concentration was recorded in the driver's cab, at the edge of the platform and in the cars. That is why almost all drivers of underground transport are diagnosed with ischemic disease hearts, and passengers have frequent cases of heart attacks.

Impact on instruments and computers

A geomagnetic storm is an enemy not only for human health, but also for various areas his activities. Communication is broken, the navigation systems of aircraft, sea and space ships are turned off, free charges appear on the surface of transformers and pipelines. Power systems can also fail. Therefore, it is very important to predict in advance the days of instability of the geomagnetic field.

How to help yourself during outbreaks and changes in the magnetic field?

A 20-minute contrast shower will help tone the entire vascular system, heart, invigorate the body and spirit. Doctors recommend these days to adhere to proper nutrition: eat vegetables, fish, legumes, drink more liquid in the form mineral water with lemon. Do not expose yourself to increased physical exertion. It is strictly forbidden to smoke and consume alcoholic products. Try not to be nervous conflict situations. People suffering from low or high blood pressure should always carry the necessary medicines with them.

Carrington event

The geomagnetic storm of 1859 was named after the British astronomer Richard Carrington. The day before, he had observed solar flares. Carrington recorded one of the strongest and concluded that soon there will be a geomagnetic storm on Earth.

It really turned out to be the most powerful one that covered almost all countries. In early September, the northern lights were observed around the world, even over by the caribbean. Telegraph workers suffered greatly from the magnetic hurricane. America and Europe lost their telegraph communication. Some devices continued to work, despite the fact that they were de-energized.

The face of the modern apocalypse

If such force majeure happened today, then it could be safely called the end of the world. Humanity would be left without television, all means of communication: telephone, Internet. The only thing that would continue its work would be secret military developments that are protected from the effects of radiation.

A moderate geomagnetic storm occurs almost constantly on Earth. At the south and north poles, regular northern lights are observed, which are visible even to astronauts. Moderate fluctuations do not cause a sharp deterioration in human health. Mankind has become accustomed to such changes in the earth's magnetic field.

What is a magnetic storm?

Every second, the Sun throws huge volumes into its environment. solar energy, which are protons, electrons, plasma and various radiations. Such solar vortices have a powerful force and can sometimes affect the Earth. However, the magnetic field of our planet protects us from the negative effects of solar flares and neutralizes the impact of solar bursts.

But some flashes on the Sun are so strong and dangerous for the Earth that under their influence a certain part of the magnetic field of our planet is deformed and shudders. It is these phenomena that are called magnetic storms.

Not all inhabitants of the Earth are equally sensitive to these manifestations of the work of the Sun. Basically, the risk group includes those who suffer from certain diseases of the cardiovascular and nervous system. Particularly acute magnetic storms affect health the elderly, babies, pregnant women and people with an unstable psycho-emotional background.

During magnetic storms in the human body, the blood begins to thicken, which leads to problems in the functioning of the circulatory and nervous systems.

It makes no sense to wait out magnetic storms at home, but there are places where these phenomena manifest themselves with greater force.

The most powerful influence of magnetic storms is observed in the following cases:

1. At an altitude of 9 to 11 km in aircraft. The fact is that the airliner and its passengers, respectively, are not protected by a reliable “air blanket”. As practice shows, it is on the days of the formation of solar flares that air crashes most often occur.

2. Answer to the question - what are magnetic storms and how they affect our health especially well known to the inhabitants of the North. Norwegians, Swedes, Finns and our compatriots living in Syktyvkar, Arkhangelsk, Murmansk, Petrozavodsk and other cities located north of the 60th parallel suffer from the manifestation of magnetic storms more often than, for example, residents middle lane RF.

3. The weather phenomena under consideration are especially acute in the subway. The fact is that the ultra-low frequency magnetic fields that arise during the operation of underground trains, together with the influence of magnetic storms, have an extremely Negative influence on the human body. That is why the workers of the "subway" often have a heartache, and the passengers experience sudden heart attacks.

How can we reduce the impact of magnetic storms on our health?

During periods of geomagnetic activity, it is advisable to adhere to the following recommendations:

Avoid consumption of alcoholic beverages;
- do not physically overstrain;
- magnetic storms increase the level of cholesterol in the blood, therefore, on such unhealthy days, one should not abuse high-calorie dishes and desserts, but it is better to give preference to cereals, fresh vegetables, fruits, boiled fish and rye bread;
- those who have a predisposition to heart disease should have at hand their usual medicines;
- to reduce the influence of magnetic storms, it is useful to use compresses from eucalyptus oil.
You don't have to get out of bed in the morning. This recommendation is especially true for those who take medications for low blood pressure. Getting out of bed quickly can cause sudden fainting or severe dizziness.

The expression "magnetic storms" has long and firmly entered our lives. There are about four magnetic storms on our planet every month. Their impact on human health is obvious. After all, at this time the condition of many people worsens, the head hurts, body aches are felt. Doctors are absolutely sure that people's well-being depends to a large extent on geomagnetic disturbances. Let's try to understand their nature.

Impact on a person

What is the effect of magnetic storms on human health? The symptoms are generally the same for everyone:

a person begins to feel a strong causeless fatigue;
headaches begin to bother;
Many people have heart palpitations.

But in people with chronic diseases, the effect of this unusual natural phenomenon is expressed as follows:

people suffering from bronchial asthma find it more difficult to breathe;
in hypertensive patients, pressure often jumps;
even healthy people irritability may increase, causeless anxiety may appear, performance may decrease;
people with an unstable psyche may experience depression or bouts of aggression.

First steps for such ailments

Although magnetic storms sometimes affect human health quite tangible, doctors believe that you do not immediately need to start drinking some serious medicines on your own. It is better to consult a doctor and try to help the body overcome the reaction to it with his help. But if you just feel weak, herbalists suggest to cheer up with the help of brain-activating spices, which almost everyone has at home:

ginger;
cardamom;
nutmeg;
thyme.

Take a teaspoon of each spice, add a teaspoon of black tea and brew an invigorating drink in a thermos. However, if you do not have time in the morning for this, you can drink one of the available antispasmodics, such as:

"Baralgin".
"Spazmalgon".
"Bral" and others.

You can take a dissolvable aspirin, but before that you need to eat something.

The impact of magnetic storms on various areas of activity

It is noticed that they can affect many areas of human activity. They entail a disruption of communications, navigation systems of spacecraft, and can even lead to the destruction of energy systems. In the 30s of the twentieth century in France, in Nice, it was noticed that the frequency of heart attacks and hypertensive crises increased sharply on days when the local telephone exchange malfunctioned, up to its complete stop. It was later determined that magnetic storms were the cause of the disruption of telephone communications. Their influence on human health, based on such observations, of course, is beyond doubt.

Magnetic storms and phases. Impact on human health

Science defines a magnetic storm as a disturbance of the Earth's magnetic field, or, in other words, a magnetic field created by intraterrestrial sources. This phenomenon may continue for several days. The nature of a magnetic storm is an interaction the so-called solar wind with our planet's magnetosphere. First of all, the magnetic field changes one of the most important physical characteristics of health human - viscosity blood. This entails a change in the work of the whole organism.

The most dangerous are the drops, which are most often caused by the Sun. The human body does not have time to adapt to such changes that affect the blood, and therefore, magnetic storms primarily affect aged people and those who, for some reason, have weakened immunity. As for the phases of the moon, scientists believe that the human body does not depend on it so much that it could cause serious changes in its biorhythm. Yes, together with the Sun, being also a cosmic body, it can, of course, influence the human body, but so insignificantly that this influence goes almost unnoticed.

Effect of magnetic storms on blood vessels

A change in blood viscosity can lead to the formation of clots in it and a deterioration in gas exchange. The body experiences stress caused by an increase in the release of adrenaline into the blood. At the same time, during jumps in the Earth's magnetic field, the human body reduces the production of melatonin, which affects the body's resistance to stress. This leads to fluctuations in blood pressure, which can lead to severe headache, difficulty breathing. There is a lack of oxygen in the blood, which leads to a number of negative sensations:

there are pains in the region of the heart;
the head begins to spin;
darkens in the eyes, etc.

All this only increases the stressful state to which the body has already undergone. This may well lead to hypertensive crisis. Fortunately, for most people, the effects of magnetic storms are limited to joint pain, insomnia, and exhaustion. Children become overly restless and capricious. In this section, we took a closer look at how magnetic storms affect human health. Next, we will talk about how to deal with such phenomena.

How to reduce the impact of magnetic storms on humans

First of all, a person affected by a magnetic storm must prepare for it. Warned by forecasters about the upcoming changes, he should first have a good rest, ideally just sleep off. On a rested body, the impact of external stimuli will be minimal. In addition, these days you need to plan work that is not associated with heavy physical labor. If a person is healthy, he can conduct his usual business as usual, but not complicate them with additional loads. You need to walk more and give preference to light diet food. We should never forget the impact magnetic storms have on human health. How to reduce it is another question. It all depends on the person himself, the implementation of all the above recommendations.

Water treatments to protect the body from magnetic storms

Magnetic disturbances in the atmosphere affect the state of vessels. They become less elastic, the blood moves through them more slowly, and the organs receive less oxygen. Therefore, the vessels need training. Water will help you with this.

Take a contrast shower twice a day. It not only improves the functioning of blood vessels, but also perfectly tones.
Try to devote one or two days during the week to swimming in the pool.
It is advisable to visit the sauna once a month.
And on the eve of a magnetic storm, it is very useful to take soothing baths with sea salt, coniferous extract, essential oils valerian, mint, orange and others.

It turns out that the impact of magnetic storms on human health is not so terrible. How to protect yourself from them? There are enough ways. The main thing is to show desire and perseverance.

Magnetic storms: impact on human health. How to protect yourself from an unpleasant phenomenon

First of all, it is necessary to minimize physical exercise. Do not make sudden movements that can cause pressure drops. You need to walk slowly, at a moderate speed.
It is advisable to take sedative herbal preparations that relieve emotional stress. It can be motherwort, valerian or herbal preparations.
You can not include in the diet foods that can retain fluid in the body. This applies to pickles, hot spices, smoked meats. At the same time, drink plenty of green tea or plain water, which will help reduce blood viscosity.
Can do breathing exercises which helps oxygenate the blood.
Ventilate the room you are in and spend more time outdoors.

A healthy lifestyle helps to maximize your well-being during magnetic storms.

Conclusion

If you are exposed to magnetic storms, then first of all keep track of the days on which solar flares are most likely. If you know exactly when magnetic storms will occur, their impact on human health can be minimized. Spend these days in a calm atmosphere, exclude the possibility of stressful situations, do not make important decisions, avoid drinking alcohol. You can go to the theater or cafe, take a walk in the park. In addition, it is important to understand that geomagnetic changes in nature have always existed, they are inevitable and will be repeated with a certain frequency. Do not be afraid of magnetic storms, as a feeling of fear can lead to a deterioration in well-being. Maintain positive attitude and be healthy!