electro-magnetic pulse

ELECTRO-MAGNETIC PULSE

ELECTRO-MAGNETIC PULSEAgenda

Definition Damage Likelihood Detection Preparation Afterward Summary

ELECTRO-MAGNETIC PULSEDefinition

Nuclear bomb High altitude Three waves Solar flare Non-nuclear


Nuclear bomb Radiation burst: neutrons and gamma waves Blast: shock wave and thermal wave Electromagnetic pulse that can damage electronic

and electrical devices Caused by gamma radiation interacting with upper

atmosphere


High altitude Interaction in upper atmosphere from 12-25 miles

altitude Higher altitude burst creates larger circle of

interaction in upper atmosphere Altitude of 250+ miles creates EMP that covers the

entire continental US


Three waves E1: lasts 1 microsecond, extends across all

frequencies E2: lasts 1 second, similar to lighting strike surges E3: lasts many seconds, low frequency, long

wavelength


Solar flare

– E-3 component only


Non-nuclear

– Devices that can create local EMP-like effects

– Limited in range and power compared to nuclear and solar events

– May become useful in warfare because of limited scope

ELECTRO-MAGNETIC PULSEDamage

Delicate electronics All electronics and electrical devices Long antennas Infrastructure Ripple effects


E-1: Delicate electronics

– Fragile chips and circuits can be burned out

– Includes: computers, smart phones, process controllers, solid state radios, LEDs, solar panels, chargers, modern car ignition systems, surge suppressors

– May not include: older vacuum tube radios, older car ignition systems, batteries


E-2: All electronics and electrical devices

– Since the E-1 wave can destroy surge suppressors before they activate, they will likely be unavailable to protect during the E-2 wave


E-3: Long antennas

– Long power lines, electrical cables, communication cables, even railroad rails, any conductor long enough to absorb the long waveform

– Will induce currents that can melt lines and cause fires

– Likely to destroy many large transformers in power grid


Infrastructure Electric power grid

• Likely to be 100% incapacitated, big questions about repair time frames

Water supply Pumping stations – depend upon electric supply,

can use temporary/portable generators if they are available

Water treatment plants – depend upon electric supply, too big to use portable generators, will be down until the grid is restored


Infrastructure Communications – most unprotected systems will

be down, those with shielding may survive – shielded spares may enable repairs

Transportation – older cars, trucks, locomotives and boats may survive - newer cars, trucks, locomotives and boats may be disabled temporarily or permanently - accidents will congest roads, control systems will be disabled and may take a long time to repair


Ripple effects

– Repair and replace• Extreme parts shortage of what is most needed,

limited distribution capability, no short term manufacturing capability

– Distribution• Limited by nearly non-existent transportation,

fuel supply and communications

– Manufacturing• Limited by lack of power, workers,

communications, transportation, control systems


Ripple effects Agriculture

• Crippled by lack of water, equipment, workers, transportation, communication, power – refrigeration, storage and distribution will be non-existent

Financial transactions• Crippled by lack of power, computer systems,

communications, workers


Ripple effects Aid: there will be no help coming from anybody

since the entire nation will be affected Repair and recovery will be extremely slow,

possibly taking many years to restore normality Anticipated population death rates:

• 25% in two weeks

• 50% in one month

• 75% in ninety days

ELECTRO-MAGNETIC PULSELikelihood

HEMP (High altitude EMP) Solar Flare


HEMP (High altitude EMP) Motive

Cripple most US infrastructure without warfare Can be done “anonymously” without retaliation

Means Moderate sized nuclear warhead

500 kiloton bomb (fission weapon) Missile capable of reaching 300 miles altitude

Scud-D, Shahab-3, Nodong, Taepodong-1+2 Launch from ship, balloon, satellite, inside the US


HEMP (High altitude EMP) Opportunity

• Get a delivery system into position without detection (either inside the US or near a border)

• 5 minutes flight time from ground to 250 miles altitude

• OUTBOUND trajectory implications– Defensive missiles can't react in enough time– Hesitation in decision making


Solar flare 100% probability – flares occur frequently, but

most do not impact us Unknown timing – cannot reliably predict flare

timing Unknown power level – depends on size of the

flare and how directly it impacts Earth We do get some warning: often days, at least

hours

ELECTRO-MAGNETIC PULSEDetection

Simple observation Scientific evidence


Simple observation Power outage Most communications fail Things not connected to power fail - battery

operated devices like laptops, LED flashlights, radios, phones

Car and truck ignition systems may fail


Scientific evidence Sensors will record event until they are disabled

but the data is not likely to be available Only military hardened systems will stay up Emergency radio broadcast may or may not be

practical to spread the word

ELECTRO-MAGNETIC PULSEPreparation

Knowledge Faraday shielding Spare parts Emergency preparation


Knowledge Basic knowledge about EMP Preparedness knowledge


Faraday shielding Metallic surrounding with no gaps Insulation from metal Grounding is controversial Simplest method:

Wrap objects in insulating layer (plastic) Wrap objects in foil Place wrapped objects inside metal container that can

be tightly sealed with metal to metal contact


Spare parts Radios Power generation

Generator spare parts Solar panel, charge controller, inverter Battery chargers

Ignition systems LED lights Data access – DVD reader


Emergency preparation Water storage, collection and purification Food storage, foraging, hunting, gardening, raising

livestock Defense planning and equipment Medical supplies and knowledge Community networking

ELECTRO-MAGNETIC PULSEAfterward

Rapid knowledge sharing Key knowledge points to distribute Collective effort


Rapid knowledge sharing Most neighbors will have 2-3 days water and 5-10

days food Tell everybody to fill bathtubs and other containers

before the water pressure fails (avg bathtub = 50 gallons)

Inventory resources (water, food, tools, seeds...) Begin food production efforts immediately


Key knowledge points to distribute

– Fill tubs and collect rainwater

– Maintain water discipline (flushing, bathing)

– Water purification methods

– Food production methods

– Need for cooperation and planning


Collective effort Water collection, storage and purification Food production: fish, rabbits, chickens, gardens,

foraging, hunting, storing Defense plan for neighborhood, shared resources Communications – alert system, sharing

information, planning Medical supplies and knowledge will become

premium

ELECTRO-MAGNETIC PULSESummary

EMP is dangerous EMP is likely EMP damage tests a full range of

preparedness and may be widespread Knowledge is critical Fast reactions can save lives Store water

ELECTRO-MAGNETIC PULSESummary

References

– http://www.fas.org/nuke/intro/nuke/emp.htm

– http://www.futurescience.com/emp.html

– http://www.empcommission.org/

http://www.fas.org/nuke/intro/nuke/emp.htm

http://www.futurescience.com/emp.html

http://www.empcommission.org/

electro-magnetic pulse

Documents

long time

electrical cables

long antennaslong power

long waveformwill

older car ignition systems

electrical devicescaused

electrical devicessince

unprotected systems