Solar flares occur near sun spots between areas of oppositely directed magnetic fields.
Solar flares are classified by their x-ray emissions. On Nov 8th a powerful solar flare triggered an S4-class solar radiation storm, the fourth largest since 1976. Radiation counts finally declined below storm levels on Saturday, Nov. 11th. A coronal mass ejection hit Earth's magnetosphere Friday morning only 31 hours after leaving the Sun. Since then geomagnetic activity has subsided.