A magnetic storm has hit Earth: how will it affect the residents of Azerbaijan?

Specialists from the Russian Institute of Applied Geophysics named after Academician E.K. Fedorov have recorded a disturbance in the Earth's magnetic field.

According to the institute, the current level of disturbance in the Earth's magnetic field is at G2 ("moderate") on the monitoring scale, which consists of five indicators. According to this scale, G5 is extremely strong, and G1 is weak.

At the G2 level, problems may arise in power systems on Earth, disruptions in radio navigation, as well as high-frequency radio communication disturbances.

How dangerous is this storm? How long will it last and how can one protect oneself from it?

Enver Aliyev, head of the department at the Institute of Geography of the National Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan and ecologist, told Oxu.Az about this.

According to him, the disturbance of the Earth's magnetic field is one of the natural phenomena threatening the planet.

"Such phenomena have been occurring for millions of years. Magnetic poles act as a protective factor for the planet, reflecting incoming electromagnetic waves and thereby ensuring the continuation of life on Earth," he said.

The scientist noted that the Earth's magnetic field has changed in recent times.

"Especially since 1996, the magnetic field has begun to move from North America toward Russia. Such transformations are associated with an increase in lava deposits in the depths of the Earth and the accumulation of energy in the lower layer of the Earth's crust, which is the outer shell of the planet. In reality, these changes may cause new complications, but at present they do not pose a major threat," the ecologist explained.

E. Aliyev also emphasized that flares on the Sun's surface affect planets, including creating certain risks for life on Earth.

"With the development of science and technology, such phenomena are better tracked, and measures are taken. The most sensitive to magnetic field disturbances are elderly people, children, and pregnant women. I recommend that people in this category of the population stay at home, especially during active hours of the day, I think that would be better. Since most buildings in Azerbaijan are built of concrete, the impact of electromagnetic waves inside them is less," he concluded.