180-4 Potential for Geomagnetic Disturbances in Posing Health Risks to Aircrew on High-Latitude Polar Flights

Session: Geoscience Outreach Efforts to Broaden Participation (Posters)

Poster Booth No.: 4

Presenting Author:

Arinne Hoque

Authors:

Hoque, Arinne¹, Tanvir, Farhan², Khandaker, Nazrul³, Singh, Andrew⁴, Singh, Sarita⁵, Lorenzo-Lai, Elizabeth⁶, Hossain, Samiul⁷

Abstract:

Convection currents of molten iron in the outer core generate Earth’s magnetosphere via electromagnetic induction. This process, known as geodynamo, helps shield the planet from cosmic radiation and solar winds. However, solar events can inject high amounts of energy into the magnetosphere, which can cause geomagnetic storms to occur at the Earth's poles. As a result, aviation routes in polar regions often expose aircrew to geomagnetic disturbances (GMDs), which can lead to various adverse physiological effects. Neurological disruptions especially, such as circadian rhythm misalignment and increased susceptibility to mood disorders like depression, are linked to GMD exposure. Studies in rats have demonstrated that exposure to geomagnetic-range static magnetic fields disrupts melatonin production by suppressing key pineal enzymes, thereby affecting circadian regulation. These findings align with studies linking GMD exposure to reduced nocturnal melatonin metabolite excretion in humans, along with an observed 36.2% rise in male hospital admissions for manic-depressive illness two weeks after geomagnetic storms, suggesting that GMDs may precipitate depressive episodes by phase-shifting melatonin rhythms. This is of particular concern for long-haul pilots who already experience significant disruptions to their sleep and mood due to extended work hours and irregular scheduling. In addition to circadian effects, experimental simulation has shown that exposure to 30 minutes of 70 nT magnetic fields can suppress theta power in the brain, which can impair memory and cognitive control and increase levels of anxiety and stress. These effects can be detrimental to pilots on high-latitude routes where they can be exposed to hours of geomagnetic fields of strengths well above 70 nT. Although there are Federal Aviation Administration protocols in place regarding flight re-routing in the event of a severe geomagnetic storm, studies suggest that even low to moderate GMDs have the potential to pose health risks to aircrew on polar routes.

Geological Society of America Abstracts with Program. Vol. 57, No. 6, 2025

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