Risks to Health: Scientists Warn of Cosmic Dangerous Event

Solar eruptions associated with proton storms could have serious consequences for human health and evolution if they coincide with a weakening of the Earth's magnetic field, according to an international group of scientists reported in an article in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

A proton storm is a flow of charged particles that gain high energy from solar flares. Scientists note that particularly powerful storms can destroy the Earth's ozone layer, but under normal conditions, the planet is protected by its magnetic field. However, throughout Earth's history, strong proton storms have occurred during periods of weakened magnetic fields. The authors of the study have attempted to model the consequences of such coincidences.

“Potential consequences include health risks and long-term climatic and evolutionary changes,” the article states. The authors estimate that a proton storm under conditions of a very weak magnetic field would cause the destruction of the ozone layer across the globe for several years. The level of ultraviolet radiation would remain high for six years. Finally, the amount of DNA damage related to ultra-violet radiation in living organisms would increase by 40-50%, scientists noted.

Study participants Alan Cooper and Pavle Arsenovich remarked in an article for the Comversation portal that coincidences of proton storms and the Earth's weak magnetic field could frequently lead to evolutionary changes. Among the events that could be impacted by radiation, scientists highlighted the emergence of multicellular organisms, a dramatic increase in Earth's animal life during the Cambrian period, and the extinction of Neanderthals.

“How likely is a deadly combination of a weak magnetic field and a powerful proton storm? Considering how often each of these events occurs, it is likely that they coincide relatively frequently,” they warned.

In May, the Earth experienced a strong magnetic storm. It reached a G5 rating, the highest level, which had not been seen since 2005. This cosmic event led to auroras being observed in many regions of Russia.