Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs) are the result of a disruption from the sun, and arrive at earth as a wave of plasma with a strong magnetic field. This magnetic field shockwave creates increased activity in Earth’s own magnetic field, but causes limited impacts on biological systems. However, a body of scientific research suggests that periods of high solar activity are accompanied by a wide range of physical effects, including decreases in Heart Rate Variability, (HRV, a key marker for general health) increased occurrence of cardiac events and an uptick in psychological/emotional disturbances. This implies that we may have subtle but real responsiveness to changes in Solar output, and CMEs in particular. Without a doubt though, the most significant risk to humans posed by CMEs are their potential to disrupt or destroy modern technology we depend on to keep us safe and productive.
Coronal Mass Ejection Effects on Earth
When Solar particles make Earthfall, it increases geomagnetic pressure on the Earth’s magnetic field. Most of the solar plasma is shunted around from the sun-side to the magnetic poles, where the pressure is periodically released, moving the freed energy into the atmosphere, causing wavelike aurorae. The powerful magnetic fields accompanying CMEs put additional pressure on the magnetic field and causing distortions, and displaying aurorae at lower-than-normal latitudes. This is an ongoing process, with waves of magnetism inducing electrical activity, causing electrical currents, depending on the electrical potential of different objects.
Coronal Mass Ejection vs Solar Flare
Not all solar weather is the same. The sun is constantly sending out radiation and plasma in an effect called the Solar Wind, which is dispersed by the Earth’s magnetic field so we receive only a small amount of the Sun’s power. When Solrr magnetic conditions are just right, an eruption of solar radiation can create a Solar Flare, spitting radiation at the Earth. Fortunately, we have the magnetic field to protect us, and it does a great job. Unfortunately, these eruptions often send a Coronal Mass Ejection, (CME) a blast of plasma particles and a fast-moving magnetic field. As these forces hit earth, they powerfully interact with the magnetic field.
NOAA has a Geomagnetic Storm rating system for CMEs, ranging from G1 (essentially trivial impacts to human technology, possible disturbances to satellites and spacecraft) to G5. (widespread interruptions and damage to technological equipment) On average during G5 Geomagnetic storms occur 3-4 times per solar cycle, according to event monitoring website The Watchers. https://watchers.news/2024/05/09/g4-severe-geomagnetic-storm-expected-as-multiple-cmes-merge-and-impact-earth-on-may-11/
How do Geomagnetic Storms Affect Humans
Moving magnetic fields induce electrical current in objects, in accordance with a magnetic sensitivity called “electrical potential”. While in general, in biological tissues they aren’t very strong, these electrical currents do cause an impact on the human body. One proposed mechanism is that the electricity interacts with free oxygen, driving up the creation of “reactive oxygen species”, triggering the body’s natural anti-oxidation systems, and a physical stress response.
Fortunately, it appears that the effect is mostly minor, but many studies indicate that it has real impacts, and that periods of higher than normal solar activity can drive up the rates of psychological/emotional disturbance, resulting in more depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation. One particularly thought-provoking researcher, Alexander Tchijevsky, found that cycles of human mass activity, particularly in war, correspond with peaks the cycle of solar activity.
An interesting and unpredictable aspect of CME effects on biology, is the effect of changing magnetic fields on animals that use it for navigation. The fluctuations in the Earth’s magnetic field during powerful CMEs can throw off some birds, insects, fish and whales. While we don’t know precisely what impact this might have on food chains, we can take comfort in the fact that CMEs have always been with us, and these creatures have made it to our present day through many cycles of Solar activity, so presumably they recover from the disruption without too much lasting effect.
What is the Effect on Technology
Regardless, there is a major ongoing risk of how CMEs can affect human technology, and the systems we all rely on. While smaller electronics are thought to be pretty safe, (though there is at least a theoretical possibility of a super powerful CME inducing enough voltage to fry the integrated circuits that make up many of our computerized devices) CME-induced currents can have a substantial impact on electrical systems participating in large electrical circuits, like high-voltage transformers that deliver power from transmission lines to the local power grid, or control systems on long-distance pipelines. The loss of even a few transformers could knock out power in affected areas for weeks. Communications will likely be disrupted as well, though they should recover when the CME wave passes.
Conclusion
In general, the effects of changing magnetic fields on humans and other animals are low. The vast majority of CMEs are nothing a diet of blueberries and a mindfulness practice can’t handle. However, keeping your body and mind healthy, and preparing for the possibility that a major CME could knock out a portion of your local power grid may just give you the peace of mind to power through the next Geomagnetic solar “burp” without becoming a statistic.
