solar storm

Also known as a geomagnetic storm, this is the name given to the temporary disturbance of the Earth's magnetosphere, as a consequence of the shock wave generated by a sudden increase in the solar wind, both in the density of particles it displaces and in its speed. This circumstance occurs when a large coronal mass ejection takes place on the sun (colloquially known as a flare), and, moreover, is directed toward Earth. The additional pressure exerted by that disturbed solar wind causes the deformation of the magnetosphere, which ends up altering the electric field in the upper atmosphere. Those changes occur throughout the Earth, although it is at high latitudes in both hemispheres where they attain greater magnitude, favoring the formation of polar auroras and sometimes causing problems in telecommunications and electrical power grids.