geomagnetic storm

noun

Updated on: 25 Apr 2018

Definition of geomagnetic storm

: magnetic storm

Recent Examples of geomagnetic storm from the Web

Whatever the cause, the result here on Earth was a minor geomagnetic storm — not strong enough to disrupt GPS, communications or satellites in any meaningful way.

— angela fritz, Washington Post, "A solar shock wave cracked Earth’s magnetic field last night, but everything is fine," 20 Apr. 2018
In particular, Salazar reports the team looked at a March 1989 blackout that occurred in Quebec during a geomagnetic storm.

— jason daley, Smithsonian, "Earthlings: There’s No Need to Freak Out About Tonight’s Solar Storm," 14 Mar. 2018
That’s why, as Doris Elin Salazar at Space.com reports, the U.S. Geological Survey recently came up with a new way of predicting the effects of geomagnetic storms.

— jason daley, Smithsonian, "Earthlings: There’s No Need to Freak Out About Tonight’s Solar Storm," 14 Mar. 2018
Lasting from Wednesday through Thursday, the geomagnetic storm will also impact the Earth’s magnetosphere — or magnetic field, which is impacted by changing solar winds.

— jennifer calfas, Time, "A Solar Storm Could Bring Spectacular Northern Lights Tonight. Here’s How You Can See Them," 14 Mar. 2018
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Space Weather Prediction Center posted a notice about the geomagnetic storm forecast to continue through Sept. 9.

— laurel andrews, Alaska Dispatch News, "Aurora expected as far south as Lower 48, but Alaska might take a backseat," 8 Sep. 2017
Grids are alerted to dangerous solar activity and geomagnetic storm watches are called.

— naureen s malik, Bloomberg.com, "Can America’s Power Grid Survive an Electromagnetic Attack?," 22 Dec. 2017
Even a glancing blow to our planet’s magnetic field from a powerful CME can trigger a geomagnetic storm, which can disrupt satellites, GPS navigation, and the power grid but can also spawn especially brilliant auroras.

— National Geographic, "How the Strongest Solar Flare in a Decade Is Affecting Earth," 6 Sep. 2017
Even if the study's assumptions are correct, geomagnetic storms only accounted for less than 3% of all strokes during the study’s timeframe.

— Health.com, "Solar Flares Are Predicted for the Next Few Days—Can They Affect Your Health?," 7 Sep. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'geomagnetic storm.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.