“Coronal mass ejections can occasionally be directed towards the Earth. These can deliver a huge number of high-energy ions to the ionosphere, which are sufficient to cause relatively minor alterations to the strength and the direction of the magnetic field.”

“Such events are dubbed ‘geomagnetic storms’ (GMS). These global disturbances can last from several hours to days, with the literature generally defining a geomagnetic storm as involving 24 h planetary average changes to the GMF of as little as around 30 nT [15–17]. Such storms occur on average once every 10 days or so, but do not occur with an even distribution. Instead, solar activity reveals a number of quasi-periodic oscillations, the most prominent of which is the approximately 11.5 year solar cycle. Furthermore, GMS tend to be more frequent at the equinoxes, and more extreme at higher latitudes [18,19].”

Close, James. 'Are Stress Responses to Geomagnetic Storms Mediated by the Cryptochrome compass system?' Proceedings of the Royal Society: Biological Sciences. Published online before print: 14 March 2012. DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2012.0324. Website: http://rspb.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/early/2012/03/12/rspb.2012.0324.full

(e) Geomagnetic Storms & Human Health

“While early Western studies on the CV system were controversial with some notable negative results [21] and a retraction [22], later studies have revealed positive associations of Geomagnetic Storms (GMS) with myocardial infarction, stroke, blood pressure, capillary blood flow and an inverse correlation with heart rate variability (HRV) [18,19,23,24]. One study observed that in years of peak GMS activity, patients admitted for myocardial infarction increased 25 per cent [25]; other studies have reported a similar relationship, accounting for a 5 per cent increase in mortality in maximal solar years [26]. Moreover, these epidemiological studies are supported by evidence from both human [27,28] and animal [29,30] physiological studies that reveal changes to blood pressure and HRV in relation to geomagnetic disturbances.”

“With regard to the psychiatric literature, associations have been revealed between Geomagnetic Activity (GMA)  and increased hospitalizations for depression [31] and ambulance callouts for mental disorders in general [32], with one well-cited study reporting an increase of 36 per cent in hospital admissions for males with a diagnosis of depression during periods of high GMA [31]. However, such psychiatric findings have not always been repeated and remain somewhat contentious (see electronic supplementary material, table and [18,19] for discussion).”

“Associations have also been demonstrated across wider health studies, correlating GMA with the total number of deaths [33]. Correlations have also been reported between solar cycles and longevity [34], although such findings remain equivocal [35]. A further series of studies have revealed associations between the solar cycle and flu pandemics [36], and a similar relationship was recently reported with papillomavirus infections [37]. Relationships have also been observed between GMA and sudden infant death syndrome [38] and epilepsy [39].”

One of the few large literature reviews on GMS made the definite conclusion that GMA has an effect on human CV health, and the less certain conclusion that there may be an association between GMA and admissions for mental illness [18]. A review of the vast Russian magnetobiology literature concluded that ‘the totality of the matter described here strongly supports the hypothesis that the GMF disturbances correlate with the general human condition’ [19].

Compiled by David (mrloferlofer) - The previous Solar Sector Boundary Crossing was on January 21, 2014: "SOLAR SECTOR BOUNDARY CROSSING: High-latitude auroras are possible on Jan. 21st when Earth crosses through a fold in the heliospheric current sheet. This is called a "solar sector boundary crossing," and NOAA forecasters estimate a 25% chance of polar geomagnetic storms when it occurs."

Source: Dr. Tony Phillips 'Time Machine' Site Archive.

"Around 1/1000 UTC a Solar Sector Boundary change from Away-to-Toward occurred ['+' is away from the Sun, '-' is toward the Sun is -]. The EPAM instrument indicated a slow rise in low energy particles, signalling the approach of the anticipated CME."

24-h Solar Wind Summary (@ 12:30 UTC): "Solar wind parameters were nominal with solar wind speed increasing slightly through the period from approximately 334 km/s to 380 km/s. Total field also saw a minor increase from 2 nT to 6 nT, while the Bz component was variable between +/-6 nT. Phi angle was mostly negative (towards) with minor deviations into a positive (away) sector."

'Fly on the Wall': Consists of interesting audio from Weekend Skype calls.

FOTW -- Coronal Hole Call-back: "Because the Sun is a sphere magnet, and the Earth is a sphere magnet orbiting it with a now recognized electromagnetic connection too. It's certainly not out of the realm of possibility to consider that essentially a coronal hole is like pointing an extra strong magnet out of one part of that central star at our planet for a little bit and then taking it away…

It's not hard to see how that could potentially change, even only slightly, our orbital distance, our orbital speed, our angular momentum, our tilt; it wouldn't take much to have serious implications down under our feet."

The Latest Series of Eruptions from Mount Sinabung, as of January 2014:

S0 News January 22, 2014: STARWATER...Proven -- (0:04) Good morning folks, couple quick items for you to check out. First, excellent footage of Sinabung; the disaster underway. These videos from The Telegraph are outstanding, you can even catch that rare volcanic lightning we've looked for in the past...