EMP or HEMP

Overview

An EMP (Electro Magnetic Pulse) or a HEMP (High altitude Electro Magnetic Pulse) happens when a nuclear weapon is detonated above our ionosphere and thus through some physics that are outside the scope of this document, creates a giant electromagnetic pulse that overloads and burns out anything with a transistor or computer chip.

The threat could come from  a satellite armed with a nuclear weapon or even a short range rocket or missile hiding in container ship off our coast.  The effects would be immediate.  With in the same moment the power grid, vehicles that are reliant on micro chips, computers, the internet, Jetliners, gas pumps, sewer treatment facilities,  municipal water supplies,  farming equipment, would all go off line.

Due to the fact that replacements parts can be shipped when the trucks, trains, and airplanes are also broken, and the fact that there is a 1-2 year lead time on certain components of our electrical grid, we would be looking at a multi-year event should this ever happen.

 

History (Has this happened before?)

On July 9, 1962, an experiment code named “Starfish Prime” was conducted.  A 1.4 to 1.45 mega ton nuclear bomb was detonated 250 miles above the Johnston Atoll.  About 900 miles away, 300 streetlights where blown out and analogue telephone equipment was damaged.

Should one of our enemies use this type of event against us on the US Mainland today, we would suffer much worse effects.  The bomb used in starfish prime was extremely small, and Hawaii was in the periphery of its effective zone.  Also (And more importantly) the electronics, communication technology, and control mechanisms of the day was  built on pre-silicon technology – technology that is much more forgiving of that type of voltage spike.   Also, it is important to know that our enemies have learned how to “sweeten” nuclear explosions to produce even larger electromagnetic effects.

 

What can be done:

Prepare to live life with out electricity, cars or modern communication technology.   Use a Faraday cage to protect electronic equipment you might want to use post EMP.  Vote for and advocate for resilience in our power grid, transportation, and other vulnerable sectors.

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