History professor William R. Forstchen discussed the potential damage
rendered by an EMP (electromagnetic pulse) event, and what we can to do
prepare for the possibility. There are actually two kinds of potentials
for generating an EMP, military or solar, he explained. A nuclear
fission weapon, such as Iran or North Korea are currently developing,
that is detonated about 250 miles above the Earth's atmosphere would
trigger electrostatic discharge, striking the Earth's surface and
overloading the power grid and knocking it out, he detailed. The Soviets
conducted an EMP test in 1962, and a power plant 500 miles away from
the center of the detonation burst into flames, because of the EMP
overload that fed into the transmission lines, he cited.
Just a
few days ago, we were hit by the largest solar storm in five years, and
NASA & NOAA have predicted a significantly increased solar storm
cycle over the next 18 months, Forstchen noted. A large enough coronal
mass ejection (CME) from the sun could generate a global-wide EMP event,
particularly in the northern and southern latitudes. The "Carrington
Event" of 1859 blew out telegraph lines, and the "energy output was so
intense that railroad ties were bursting into flames," he said.
Forstchen advocates congressional action to protect America's grid, such
as put forth by Cong. Roscoe Bartlett.
Biography:
William
R. Forstchen is a Professor of History and Faculty Fellow at Montreat
College, in Montreat, North Carolina. He received his doctorate from
Purdue University with specializations in Military History, the American
Civil War and the History of Technology. His current book, One Second
After was cited on the floor of Congress and before the House Armed
Services Committee by Congressman Roscoe Bartlett (R.-MD), chair of the
House Committee tasked to evaluate EMP weapons, as a realistic portrayal
of the potential damage rendered by an EMP attack on the continental
United States.
Wikipedia
An electromagnetic pulse (commonly
abbreviated EMP) is a burst of electromagnetic radiation. The abrupt
pulse of electromagnetic radiation usually results from certain types of
high energy explosions, especially a nuclear explosion, or from a
suddenly fluctuating magnetic field. The resulting rapidly-changing
electric fields and magnetic fields may couple with
electrical/electronic systems to produce damaging current and voltage
surges.
In military terminology, a nuclear warhead detonated
hundreds of kilometers above the Earth's surface is known as a
high-altitude electromagnetic pulse (HEMP) device. Effects of a HEMP
device depend on a very large number of factors, including the altitude
of the detonation, energy yield, gamma ray output, interactions with the
Earth's magnetic field, and electromagnetic shielding of targets.
Preparedness
refers to the state of being prepared for specific or unpredictable
events or situations. Preparedness is an important quality in achieving
goals and in avoiding and mitigating negative outcomes. It is a major
phase of emergency management, and is particularly valued in areas of
competition such as sport and military science.
Methods of preparation include research, estimation, planning, resourcing, education, practicing and rehearsing.
Survivalism
is a movement of individuals or groups (called survivalists or
preppers) who are actively preparing for emergencies as well as possible
disruptions in social or political order, on scales ranging from local
to international. Survivalists often have emergency medical and
self-defence training, stockpile food and water, prepare for
self-sufficiency, and build structures that will help them survive or
"disappear" (e.g. a survival retreat or underground shelter).
Anticipated
disruptions include the following: Clusters of natural disasters,
patterns of apocalyptic planetary crises, or Earth Changes (tornadoes,
hurricanes, earthquakes, blizzards, solar storms, severe thunderstorms).
A disaster caused by the activities of humankind (chemical spills,
release of radioactive materials, nuclear or conventional war,
oppressive governments). The general collapse of society caused by the
shortage or unavailability of resources such as electricity, fuel, food,
or water. Financial disruption or economic collapse (caused by monetary
manipulation, hyperinflation, deflation, or depression). A global
pandemic. Widespread chaos or some other unexplained apocalyptic event
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