Decade of Swarm satellite data unveils new insights
into Earth’s magnetic field and core dynamics
https://watchers.news/2024/03/26/decade-of-swarm-satellite-data-unveils-new-insights-into-earths-magnetic-field-and-core-dynamics/
Launched in 2013, the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Swarm mission, consisting of three satellites, has provided a decade of invaluable data on Earth’s magnetic field and enabled significant advances in understanding the mechanisms behind its slow changes. Researchers have utilized this extensive dataset, alongside advanced numerical simulations, to derive new insights into the swirling motion of liquid iron in Earth’s outer core and its impact on the magnetic field. The findings, including the identification of a core jet stream and magnetic waves, contribute to improving predictions of future magnetic field fluctuations.
The importance of the Earth’s magnetic field goes beyond the immediate benefits of radiation protection and technological support. It is intricately linked to the broader environmental and climate systems that define our planet’s habitability.
The geomagnetic field plays a crucial role in preserving Earth’s atmosphere and, by extension, the conditions necessary for life. It acts as a defense mechanism against the harmful radiation and energetic material that our Sun emits, ensuring that the planet’s surface remains hospitable to biological life.
Understanding the dynamics of Earth’s magnetic field is also important for the preservation of our technological infrastructure and our current way of life. It greatly influences navigation and satellite operations and is crucial for essential services such as global positioning systems (GPS), telecommunications, and weather forecasting. These services are integral to daily activities, economic operations, and emergency responses, among others.
Moreover, the study of Earth’s magnetic field offers a window into the past, providing scientists with clues about the planet’s formation, the evolution of its core, and the historical shifts in climate and magnetic orientation. These insights are crucial for understanding the long-term stability of Earth’s environment and preparing for future changes. For example, magnetic field studies can help predict the occurrence of magnetic pole reversals and their potential impact on global systems.
The current observations of weakening in the Earth’s magnetic field, particularly in regions like the South Atlantic Anomaly, underscore the urgency of monitoring and understanding these changes. As the field weakens, the protection it offers against solar radiation decreases, posing a risk not only to satellites and technological systems but potentially to the atmosphere itself. This could have far-reaching consequences for the planet’s climate, weather patterns, and the overall stability of the biosphere.
In light of these factors, the global scientific community is intensifying its efforts to study the magnetic field and projects like ESA’s Swarm mission are at the forefront of this research, employing advanced satellite technology to map the magnetic field’s fluctuations in unprecedented detail. These efforts are crucial for developing predictive models that can anticipate changes in the magnetic field and their implications for Earth’s environment and human society.
The significance of Earth’s magnetic field, therefore, cannot be overstated. As we deepen our understanding of this fundamental force, we are better equipped to protect our planet, harness the benefits of our technological advancements, and prepare for the challenges that changes in the magnetic field may bring.
More at link above
==
Strong X1.1 solar flare erupts from AR 3615 - March 28, 2024
https://watchers.news/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/x1.1-solar-flare-march-28-2024.webp
This is the third M6+ solar flare of the day, following M7.1 at 06:29 and M6.1 at 15:56 UTC. Same as with those eruptions, there were no radio signatures that would suggest a coronal mass ejection (CME) was produced. Radio frequencies were most degraded over the SW United States and the Pacific Ocean at the time of the flare. Region 3615 has a beta-gamma-delta magnetic configuration and is capable of producing more strong to major eruptions on the Sun. With this region now being close to the western limb, there’s an increased chance of solar radiation storms over the next 2 or 3 days.
https://watchers.news/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/goes-16-suvi-aia-131-x1.1-solar-flare-march-28-2024.webp
==
Strong M6.1 solar flare erupts from Region 3615 - March 28, 2024
https://watchers.news/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/m6.1-solar-flare-march-28-2024-aia-304-f.webp
A strong solar flare measuring M6.1 erupted from Active Region 3615 (beta-gamma-delta) at 15:56 UTC on March 28, 2024. The event started at 15:40 and ended at 16:03 UTC. This is the second M6+ solar flare of the day after M7.1 at 06:29 UTC.
There were no radio emissions that would suggest a coronal mass ejection (CME) was produced. Even if it was, the location of this region does not favor Earth-directed CMEs. However, with this region now being close to the western limb, there’s an increased chance of solar radiation storms over the next 2 or 3 days.
Sunspots, particularly when positioned near the Sun’s western limb, such as AR 3615 currently is, have a significant capacity to produce solar radiation storms. This phenomenon is attributed to the magnetic linkage between these sunspots and the Earth through the Parker Spiral model. The Parker Spiral, a concept named after its discoverer — solar physicist Eugene Parker, illustrates the structured pattern of the solar wind in the heliosphere, including its magnetic field lines that extend from the Sun to the outer reaches of the solar system.
When solar flares occur near the western limb, they can accelerate protons to high velocities. These protons, once accelerated, follow the magnetic field lines of the Parker Spiral directly toward Earth.
Such storms can have profound impacts on Earth’s magnetosphere, affecting satellite operations, radio communications, and even posing risks to passengers and crew in high-flying aircraft at high latitudes as well as astronauts in space. According to the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center, when energetic protons collide with satellites or humans in space, they can penetrate deep into the object that they collide with and cause damage to electronic circuits or biological DNA.
S5 – Extreme solar radiation storms (the strongest; which happen with an average frequency of less than 1 per 11-year solar cycle) can render satellites useless. Memory disruptions may lead to a loss of control over the satellite, while the influx of radiation noise can degrade the quality of image data, rendering it unreliable. Additionally, star trackers, essential for determining a satellite’s orientation by locating specific celestial sources, may fail to perform accurately. There is also a risk of permanent damage to solar panels, which are crucial for providing power to the satellite.
==
Earthquake swarm in Askja caldera, ground deformation continues, Iceland - March 28, 2024
The Icelandic Met Office (IMO) detected about 30 earthquakes in the swarm between 08:00 and 12:00 UTC. The largest was M3.5 at a depth of 5 km (3.1 miles).
Three earthquakes with magnitudes between M2 and M2.5 were also detected, while the rest of the activity was characterized by smaller events.
Overall, the seismic activity in Askja has been quite stable between months and unchanged until March 25. “Looking back, we can see that earthquakes with magnitude above M3 were detected in January 2022 and October 2021,” IMO said.
==
Strong M7.1 solar flare erupts from Region 3615 - March 28, 2024
A strong solar flare measuring M7.1 erupted from Active Region 3615 at 06:29 UTC on March 28, 2024. The event started at 06:16 UTC and ended at 06:36. Radio frequencies were forecast to be most degraded over South Asia and the Indian Ocean at the time of the flare. “Users of high frequency (HF) radio signals may experience temporary degradation or limited blackout on some of the sunlit side of Earth. The general public need not be concerned,” SWPC forecasters said.
==
Short-lived explosion at Atka volcanic complex, Aviation Color Code raised to Yellow, Alaska - March 28, 2024
https://watchers.news/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/atka-volcanic-complex-close-satellite-image-on-january-18-2024-f.webp
The event was detected in local infrasound and seismic data and was followed by a few minutes of elevated seismic tremor. Processing of the local infrasound data indicates the explosion originated from the summit crater of Korovin, one of several volcanoes within the Atka volcanic complex. No ash emissions have been observed in satellite images, AVO added. The last eruptive period at this volcano lasted from November 2006 to March 2007 (VEI 1). The volcano has a history of VEI 1 to 3 eruptions since 1812
==
High levels of sulfur dioxide emissions in Reykjanes Peninsula, Iceland - March 28, 2024
https://watchers.news/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/High-levels-of-sulfur-dioxide-emissions-on-Reykjanes-Peninsula-Iceland.webp
The eruption that began in Reykjanes Peninsula on March 16, 2024, continues at stable levels. However, the Icelandic Met Office (IMO) has been detecting very unhealthy levels of sulfur dioxide pollution over the past couple of days. Residents are urged to follow instructions provided by the Environment Agency of Iceland and the Office of the National Medical Examiner. Lava continues to flow southward from the craters mostly atop the lava field formed during the first days of the eruption. Uplift continues in Svartsengi but at a slower rate than before previous eruptions or dike intrusions in recent months. This suggests that magma is still accumulating beneath Svartsengi despite ongoing eruption. Little to no seismic activity has been detected in the area.
Very high levels of SO2 pollution have been measured over the past few days.
==
ESA’s SMOS and Swarm observe strongest geomagnetic storm for the first time since 2017 - March 27, 2024
https://watchers.news/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/ESAs-SMOS-and-Swarm-observe-severe-geomagnetic-storm-for-the-first-time.webp
The European Space Agency’s SMOS and Swarm satellites have, for the first time, successfully tracked a severe solar storm, following an X1.1 solar flare and a halo coronal mass ejection (CME) on March 23, 2024. The CME impacted Earth on March 24, producing a G4 – Severe geomagnetic storm — the strongest geomagnetic storm since September 2017.
Upon reaching Earth at approximately 15:00 UTC on March 24, the CME produced G3 – Strong and then G4 – Severe geomagnetic storming, substantially earlier than anticipated.
This event marked the most intense geomagnetic storm observed since September 2017, significantly affecting Earth’s magnetic field. The rapid onset and severity of the storm provided an unprecedented opportunity for ESA’s SMOS and Swarm missions, to demonstrate their capabilities in real-time observation of such events.
==
Shallow M5.7 earthquake hits off the coast of Oregon, U.S.
March 27, 2024
https://watchers.news/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/m5.7-earthquake-off-the-coast-of-oregon-march-27-2024-location-map-bg.webp
The epicenter was located 178 km (111 miles) WSW of Port Orford, Oregon, and 262 km (163 miles) NW of Eureka, California. 233 000 people are estimated to have felt weak shaking.
There is no tsunami threat from this earthquake.
This event is identified as the potential mainshock of an earthquake sequence. Other earthquakes in this sequence are M3.9 at 03:14 UTC, M4.4 at 03:22 UTC, M4.8 at 03:25 UTC and M3.5 at 03:34 UTC.
“According to our forecast, there is a 5% chance of one or more aftershocks that are larger than magnitude 5, which can be damaging, within the next week,” the USGS said. “There will likely be smaller aftershocks within the next week, with up to 40 magnitude 3 or higher aftershocks. Magnitude 3 and higher aftershocks are large enough to be felt nearby. The number of aftershocks will decrease over time, but a large aftershock can temporarily increase the number of aftershocks.” The forecast applies to the area where the earthquake and aftershocks are already occurring
==
Strong and shallow M6.4 earthquake hits Vanuatu region - March 27, 2024
https://watchers.news/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/m6.4-earthquake-vanuatu-march-27-2024-location-map-f.webp
The epicenter was located 496.6 km (308.6 miles) ESE of Isangel, Vanuatu, and 524.6 km (326 miles) SW of Nadi, Fiji.
Based on all available data, there is no tsunami threat from this earthquake, NWS PTWC said. The USGS issued a Green alert for shaking-related fatalities and economic losses. There is a low likelihood of casualties and damage. There are likely to be no affected structures in this region.
==
Record-breaking snowfall hits Minneapolis, leading to hundreds of flight for the first time, delays and cancelations - March 26, 2024
https://watchers.news/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Record-breaking-snowfall-hits-Minneapolis-leading-to-hundreds-of-flight-disruptions-march-2024.webp
A strong snowstorm hit Minneapolis on March 24, 2024, and continued into the night, making it the season’s largest snowfall. Snow transitioned into rain by Monday morning, leading to almost 500 flight delays and cancelations at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. The airport reported 20.9 cm (8.2 inches) of snow, setting a new record for the season and surpassing the previous highest snowfall of 17.5 cm (6.9 inches) recorded on Valentine’s Day.
The snowstorm broke the daily snowfall record for March 24 but also increased the season’s total snowfall at the airport to 65 cm (25.6 inches), which is only 55% of the historical winter average. Before this storm, the winter season had seen relatively low snowfall totals, with only 36.3 cm (14.3 inches) recorded, compared to the average of 116.8 cm (46 inches).
On Tuesday morning, March 26, meteorologists at the National Weather Service (NWS) office in Twin Cities urged drivers to be on the lookout for icy roads as temperatures fall below freezing and rain changes to a wintry mix and snow. “Rain transitions to sleet and then snow from west to East across eastern Minnesota and western Wisconsin… plan for a slow morning commute, with potential slick travel persisting into this evening.”
