20 storms from Vietnam affect this year

Associate Prof. Dr. Ha Duyen Chau, Deputy Director of the Institute of Geophysics said that in 2008 lies in the quietest period of magnetic storm activity. However, there will be about 20 storms from this year with no great intensity.

Spherical sun burst (blue circle) - the cause of magnetic storms.

'The higher the intensity of the cycle, the more intensity and number of storms will increase. With the cycle of storms from 11 years, the year with the most active storm from 2001, it is not until 2011 - 2012 that it will return to a strong operation period. At that time, there will be about 40 - 50 games affecting our country, one month there will be about 3-4 storms from, in which there will be very strong intensity matches " - Mr. Chau said.

Representatives of the Institute of Geophysics also said that since the beginning of the year, there have been some storms from the beginning of the year but due to the small intensity, it did not cause significant impacts.

'In general, storms are predictable, but not in Vietnam. In the world, they have observed on the surface of the sun that there are huge flames exploding in the universe, so it is determined how much of this fire will explode and the intensity of the storm will be calculated. from. Vietnam only uses the data of the world and can only record it when the storm happens' - Representative of the Institute of Geophysics said.

There are two regions in the world (the aurora region and the equator), which are the areas most affected by magnetic storms. When magnetic storms occur, the intensity of storms in these two regions can be up to thousands of nT (nano Tesla - units that measure the intensity of magnetic storms).

In Vietnam, the strongest storm since ever recorded was a storm from 1989. At that time, the intensity of the storm from Sapa was recorded at 660 nT. This magnetic storm coincides with a storm in Quebec (Canada) that year, causing Canada's 550KV power transmission system to collapse, causing billions of dollars in damage.

In Hanoi, in 2001, researchers also recorded some storms from strong to 550 nT. According to Mr. Chau, from last year until now, the intensity of storms from Vietnam is negligible, only about 100 nT. The intensity of storms from 2008 is expected to fluctuate at 300-400 nT.

How to prevent and harm

Regarding how to prevent the impact of magnetic storms, Mr. Chau said in the former Soviet Union, when storms occurred, the people treated in cardiovascular and neurological hospitals were put in a design cage Especially, it works to prevent the variation of magnetic fields.

There are no measures in Vietnam. However, in order to limit the impact, when storms occur, people should stay in cars or in concrete houses to minimize the impact.

Mr. Chau also said that when it happens, magnetic storms will have the healthiest and most powerful effects on the heart and nervous system, making people tired. However, magnetic storms only impact strongly on sensitive people, while the majority do not perceive magnetic changes.

Only storms of 200 nT or more are affecting human health. In the Soviet Union, scientists' statistics show that when the storm occurred, the number of people dying from cardiovascular disease increased by 30%.

Along with affecting human health, magnetic storms also affect high-voltage lines, and also affect oil and gas pipelines, causing corrosion of pipes.

For telecommunication satellites, including the newly launched Vinasat 1 satellite in Vietnam, magnetic storms will affect the ability to transmit communications, causing transmission of signals. In the world, there was also a record of a plane crash caused by a magnetic storm.

According to statistics from the Institute of Geophysics on local stations from Vietnam, 1989 was the year of the most storms with 44 matches. In 2000 there were 40 storms from, in 2004 there were 27, in 2006 there were about 15 matches. Storm from the least appeared in 1986 with 17 matches.