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 the 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

(d) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7

APEDIA

UPSC Prelims

2022 • 05 Jun, 2022 • Paper-1

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 the aircraft flying over polar regions could be interrupted.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Correct Answer

Geomagnetic Interference: Intense solar storms violently distort the Earth's ionosphere, which can scramble precise GPS signals (1) and completely block high-fr......

💡 Analysis & Explanation

Geomagnetic Interference ▼

Intense solar storms violently distort the Earth's ionosphere, which can scramble precise GPS signals (1) and completely block high-frequency shortwave radio communications, heavily relied upon by aircraft navigating over polar routes (7).

Atmospheric Expansion ▼

The massive influx of solar energy rapidly heats the upper atmosphere, causing it to puff up and expand. This drastically increases atmospheric drag on low Earth orbit satellites, disturbing their set orbits and accelerating their decay (6).

Electrical Surges & Visuals ▼

Geomagnetically induced currents can overload large-scale, high-voltage power grids on the surface, melting transformers and causing massive blackouts (3). The intense interaction of solar particles with the magnetosphere generates spectacular, highly visible auroras far beyond the usual polar regions (4).

Unrelated Phenomena ▼

Solar storms are exclusively electromagnetic and atmospheric events; they fundamentally do not cause tectonic or seismic activity like tsunamis (2), nor do they deliver enough direct thermal energy to ignite forest fires on the Earth's surface (5).

Conclusion ▼

Options 1, 3, 4, 6, and 7 represent scientifically proven and plausible effects of a major coronal mass ejection or solar flare hitting Earth.

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