US GPS Disrupted
A severe geomagnetic storm triggered by solar flares caused unprecedented GPS disruptions across the US, but lucky timing may have averted agricultural losses
A severe geomagnetic storm occurred on November 11, 2025, triggered by solar flares and coronal mass ejections from an active sunspot region. The storm caused ionospheric disturbances that disrupted radio waves and affected crucial technologies, including GPS signals.
The storm's disruptions scrambled GPS signals in areas where such disruptions have never been reported. This is a significant concern, as GPS signals are relied upon for various critical applications, including navigation and agriculture.
The auroral oval extended farther into lower latitudes during the storm, making auroras visible in northern Europe and America. The effects of the storm were strongest near the equator and the polar regions.
The storm caused satellite radio signals to experience scintillation, reducing the accuracy of GPS and other satellite-navigation systems. Researchers combined aurora-camera observations with ground-based GPS receiver networks across the U.S. and Canada to study the storm's effects.
## Why it matters The timing of the storm may have averted agricultural losses, as the disruptions occurred during a period when they would have had minimal impact on agricultural activities. However, the study highlights the potential risks of geomagnetic storms to critical technologies and the need for further research to understand and mitigate these effects.
The study was published in Geophysical Research Letters, providing valuable insights into the effects of geomagnetic storms on GPS signals and other satellite-navigation systems. The findings of the study can help inform strategies to minimize the impact of future geomagnetic storms on critical technologies.
The mid-latitude ionosphere generally exhibits more stable conditions and may not inherently pose a significant threat to RF applications. However, during intense magnetic storms, high-latitude phenomena—such as auroral precipitation—can extend into mid-latitude regions, causing disruptions to GPS signals and other satellite-navigation systems.
