The Extreme Solar Storms of May 2024: A Comprehensive Analysis of Causes, Effects, and Historical Context

Pooja; Soumya Mukherjee; Koustav Chatterjee; Gobinda Manna; Swarniv Chandra

doi:10.34256/famr2514

Pooja Space Weather Research Centre, Institute of Natural Sciences and Applied Technology, Kolkata 700032, India
Soumya Mukherjee Department of Physics, Maulana Azad College, Kolkata, 700013, India
Koustav Chatterjee Department of Geology, Government General Degree College, Pedong, Kalimpong, West Bengal, 734311, India
Gobinda Manna Centre for Atmospheric Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi; Hauz Khas, New Delhi 110016, India
Swarniv Chandra Department of Physics, Government General Degree College at Kushmandi, 733121, India

Keywords: Solar Storms, May 2024, Solar Flares, Halloween Storms, Solar Threats

Abstract

The solar storms of May 2024 represented one of the most significant space weather events of the 21^st century, producing multiple X-class solar flares, a rare "cannibal" coronal mass ejection (CME), and G5-class geomagnetic storms that rivaled historical events like the Halloween Storms of 2003. This comprehensive analysis examines the underlying physics, technological impacts, societal consequences, and historical context of these extraordinary solar phenomena, while exploring their implications for our increasingly technology-dependent civilization.

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