May 10

On May 10, 1996, climbers on Mount Everest were caught in a fierce blizzard that arrived without warning during summit attempts. The storm brought hurricane-force winds and near-zero visibility, stranding many teams above 8,000 meters in the death zone. Eight climbers lost their lives by the following day, including both experienced Sherpa guides and foreign mountaineers. The event was part of the disastrous 1996 Everest climbing season, which later became widely known through Jon Krakauer’s book 'Into Thin Air.' Rescue operations were severely hampered by the severity of the weather and the altitude. The tragedy prompted a reevaluation of expedition strategies, safety protocols, and guide responsibilities on the world’s highest peak. It highlighted the extreme risks of high-altitude mountaineering and led to improved weather forecasting and emergency response measures. The 1996 season remains a cautionary tale for climbers and expedition organizers worldwide.

On May 10, 1997, a powerful 7.3 magnitude earthquake shook Iran’s northeastern Khorasan Province, centered near the town of Qayen. The quake’s shallow depth and intense ground shaking caused thousands of adobe and brick structures to collapse. More than 1,500 residents lost their lives, and many more were injured or rendered homeless. Rescue efforts were launched immediately, but remote villages and damaged infrastructure hampered relief operations. International aid agencies and neighboring countries provided assistance, sending medical teams and supplies. The disaster highlighted the vulnerability of traditional building methods to seismic activity in the region. In its aftermath, Iran undertook efforts to strengthen seismic building codes and improve emergency preparedness. Memorials and reconstruction projects were later established to honor the victims and rebuild affected communities.

The May 2024 Solar Storms originated from a series of massive coronal mass ejections from the Sun, unleashing charged particles toward Earth’s magnetic field. These powerful geomagnetic disturbances produced brilliant auroras at unusually low latitudes, captivating observers across multiple continents. However, the storms also interfered with satellite operations, GPS systems, and power grids, prompting precautionary measures by space weather agencies. Scientists analyzed data to improve forecasting models and develop strategies to protect infrastructure from future solar events. The storms served as a potent reminder of our planet’s vulnerability to solar activity and the importance of understanding space weather.