Introduction to EMPs

An electromagnetic pulse, or EMP, is a short burst of electromagnetic energy that can disrupt, damage, or destroy vulnerable electronic devices. EMPs can be generated naturally by solar flares hitting the Earth's atmosphere or artificially through nuclear explosions. The potential impacts of an EMP attack or severe solar storm are concerning - entire power grids, communications networks, electronic systems, and connected technologies could be rendered inoperative over widespread areas.

At WeLovePrepping, we aim to spread awareness of EMP risks and provide guidance on how to safeguard critical electronics as well as live self-sufficiently without relying completely on modern infrastructure. This article will cover the basics of EMPs - what they are, the types that exist, their potential effects if our society were to be hit by one, and steps you can take to be prepared. Being informed and ready to face an EMP or grid-down scenario is key for any prepper.

What Is an EMP?

An electromagnetic pulse is a short burst of electromagnetic radiation or energy. The intense pulse can disrupt, severely damage, or permanently impair electronic devices by overloading their circuits.

The electromagnetic energy is generated when accelerated charged particles, like those in the atmosphere from a nuclear blast, interact with Earth's magnetic field lines. This produces oscillating electric and magnetic fields that can create powerful surges in energy and voltage within electronic equipment, burning out circuits.

Natural EMPs occur when the Sun ejects plasma during solar flares and coronal mass ejections. If the Earth is in the path, its magnetic field can act as an antenna that captures the solar EMP. Man-made EMPs are produced by nuclear explosions, especially high-altitude blasts. A 20-mile high detonation could affect electronics across a region the size of North America.

Regardless of the cause, the EMP renders many modern technologies and electronics useless by frying their sensitive circuitry and motherboards. Backup systems, faraday cages, and surge protectors may work, but most civilian infrastructure is vulnerable.

Types of EMPs

There are three main types of EMPs:

High-altitude EMP (HEMP): Produced by a nuclear detonation 30 km or higher above the surface. Their effects can cover entire continents. HEMPs are a component of high-altitude nuclear explosions that follow gamma rays, shock waves, and other pulses.
Low-altitude EMP (LEMP): These originate from a sub-30 km high altitude nuclear explosion. Their effects are more localised but can still be devastating. LEMPs can be likened to lightning but with much more energy.
Intentional Electromagnetic Interference (IEMI): Localised, equipment-based EMP devices used as weapons to target specific facilities like power plants. These can be vehicle or facility-mounted pulse generators with limited area impact. Terrorists may favor IEMI weapons.

Understanding the altitude-based differences between HEMP and LEMP is critical - for defence planning, hardening assets, and maximizing EMP weapon effectiveness. Likewise, realizing solar storm EMPs are distinct from nuclear EMPs helps strategize protections against natural threats. But regardless of the source, all EMPs jeopardize vital electronic-dependent infrastructure.

Potential Effects of an EMP Attack

As an EMP can damage electronic equipment over large regions, its effects on critical infrastructure and daily life would be severe and widespread:

Electricity blackouts - EMP could induce over 100 million volts per meter in high voltage lines, causing widespread immediate blackouts by burning out transformers. Backup power may work initially. But replacement transformers take months to manufacture.
Communications disruption - Phones, internet, radios, and televisions would be rendered useless. Transmission stations and lines would also be damaged. Basic communication would become difficult.
Inoperable vehicles - Cars, trucks, buses and other vehicles would stall as ignition and control systems fail. Traffic lights may also stop functioning, impeding transport.
Equipment damage - Hospital, emergency services, police and military equipment would be degraded or damaged without surge protection. Lifesaving devices and computers may fail.
Disrupted healthcare - With electronics compromised, medical facilities would struggle to treat injuries, provide care, or access patient records. Medicines requiring refrigeration may be lost.
Food shortages - Food supplies and production depends on electricity, fuel, and transportation. Stores would be unable to restock. Farms couldn't operate machinery.
Financial collapse - Banking systems, ATMs, credit cards, and accounting infrastructure would cease functioning. Hard currency would become critical.
Supply chain breakdown - With electricity and vehicles out, food, fuel, and critical supply chains would sputter to a halt. Obtaining supplies may become impossible.

In sum, modern society depends deeply on technology. But our tech is vulnerable to the immense power of EMPs. So understanding the threat, being prepared, and safeguarding key electronics is critical for any prepper.

Being Prepared for an EMP

The catastrophic failure of crucial infrastructure means preppers should take EMP preparedness seriously:

Have backup options - Keep cash, paper maps, a compass, and other non-electric options for when electronics fail. Have alternate light, heating, and communication methods.
Stock durable supplies - Store long shelf-life food, water, medicine, fuel, batteries, etc. Assume normal supply chains will be cut off. Aim for at least 2-4 weeks of supplies.
Learn analog skills - Be able to navigate by map, grow food, and perform manual tasks without relying on tech. Community and collaboration will also be key.
Harden your home - Use surge protectors, disconnect equipment, and have quality wiring and insulation. Every bit helps reduce electrical overloads.
Check out WeLovePrepping - Our guidance helps you prepare your family, home, gear, and knowledge for surviving an EMP or grid-down situation.

With preparation, an EMP doesn’t need to be catastrophic. But without it, modern life could change instantly. Give yourself the tools and mindset to handle such a threat.

Safeguarding Your Electronics

Protecting vital electronics against EMP is achievable and wise:

Use Faraday cages - Enclose devices in EMP-shielded boxes, bags, or containers. A metal trash can or cardboard box lined with aluminum foil works.
Unplug devices - During a solar storm, unplug sensitive electronics and avoid using conductive wiring that can act as antennas.
Install surge protectors - Use quality, grounded, and localized surge protectors to reduce electrical overloads. Prioritize protecting high-value tech.
Have backups - Keep spare critical electronics in EMP-hardened containers. Or have less-vulnerable older model devices as functional backups.
Learn more strategies - WeLovePrepping provides in-depth guidance on cost-effective ways to shield electronics, protect household systems, and isolate backups.

Don't let an EMP turn your valuable electronics into useless junk. A bit of foresight and effort can significantly protect essential devices and hedge against this threat.

Government and Military Perspectives

Official assessments confirm EMPs are genuine risks requiring attention. While militaries and governments harden some critical infrastructure, citizens also need awareness and community resilience.

Official Reports and Warnings

Expert analyses consistently warn against EMP complacency:

The EMP Commission delivered in-depth reports to Congress on EMP threats to civilian infrastructure and preparedness recommendations.
Military simulations model EMP attack impacts and reinforce infrastructure vulnerabilities without surge protection.
Scientists like nuclear expert Peter Pry have testified about the ease of EMP weapons deployment by rogue nations or terrorists.
The 2019 DHS EMP threat assessment warned EMP could cause catastrophic damage to electricity infrastructure and critical systems.
Bipartisan Congressional members have repeatedly sought to pass laws that would safeguard the power grid and augment EMP preparedness.
Credible assessments by researchers calculate trillion-dollar economic impacts and 90% mortality rates from a continental U.S. EMP attack.

The message is clear - EMP can devastate modern societies. We cannot ignore these risks.

Military EMP Hardening and Preparation

EMP risks are well known by militaries. They selectively harden critical assets and infrastructure:

Missile systems have hardened electronics. Aircraft often have shielded wiring. Sensitive installations have Faraday cage shielding.
Military facilities, units, and leadership relocate from known target areas to limit EMP impacts. Continuity of operations is a priority.
Extensive contingency planning and training prepares responses to potential EMP or cyber attacks that could cripple infrastructure.

Unlike civilians, global militaries take deliberate steps to ensure they can function and fight through EMP disruption. But citizens lack robust institutional support and backup systems.

Critical Infrastructure Vulnerabilities

Modern societies rely on interdependent critical infrastructures like power, transportation, and telecommunications. But these have well-known EMP vulnerabilities:

High-voltage transformers are unprotected, custom-made, and difficult to replace. The U.S. grid alone has over 2,000 vulnerable transformers.
Backup power supplies are limited. Hospitals, for example, are only required to be able to function 3 days without grid power.
Repairing widespread EMP damage could take months or years, especially if secondary breakdowns occur. There are also skill and component supply shortages.

Without electricity, financial systems, fuel, food, and water supplies would also collapse. The resulting chaos can cripple advanced nations. Preparation and public involvement are paramount.

The EMP Threat Environment

The 21st century threat environment has increased EMP risks:

North Korea has explicitly threatened EMP attacks against the U.S. and likely tested device components. Iran could follow suit.
Cyberattacks that disrupt grid infrastructure are increasingly feasible. Combined with physical attacks, these could precipitate cascading failures.
Solar weather forecasts provide warnings, but severe space weather can unpredictably wipe out transformers almost instantly.
Proliferation of nuclear and EMP technology makes threats harder to contain. Even non-state actors may someday acquire EMP capabilities.

These trends elevate the importance of distributed infrastructure resilience and survival skills at the citizen level. Relying solely on institutions is unwise.

The Case for Public Awareness and Preparedness

Citizens play a critical role in mitigating EMP risks through individual and community readiness:

Public awareness puts political pressure on improving grid resilience and can influence the adoption of cost-effective hardening steps.
Without institutional backup plans, personal and family preparation is crucial. Stockpiling food, water, medical supplies, and cash enables survival if systems fail.
Neighborhood microgrids, shared community resources, and mutual assistance pacts build grassroots infrastructure resilience.
Affordable surge protection, Faraday cages, and off-grid power can meaningfully protect personal devices and homes.
Having analog knowledge and skills reduces dependency on vulnerable electronics. Being able to sustain yourself and help others is invaluable.

Rather than see EMPs as inevitable catastrophes, looking at prudent preparedness steps that anyone can take is empowering and wise.

Historical Examples of EMPs

While fictional books and films portray EMPs as futuristic or theoretical threats, they have proven risks with many real-world examples that highlight why we should take them seriously.

Nuclear Weapon Test EMPs

High-altitude nuclear tests during the Cold War caused measurable EMP effects:

The 1962 Starfish Prime test 900 miles from Hawaii damaged electrical systems and streetlights due to EMP.
Soviet Test 184 in 1962 induced ground current surges that damaged a power plant hundreds of miles away in Kazakhstan.
Chinese, French, and British atmospheric nuclear tests also generated EMPs that impacted monitoring equipment and electronics on the ground despite the remote detonations.
A single high-altitude nuclear blast can affect electronics across areas up to the size of a continent or larger. Distance does not fully insulate against EMP.

Solar Storm EMPs

Severe space weather events can also generate wide-ranging EMPs:

In 1989, a geomagnetic storm caused the Quebec electrical grid blackout that lasted 9 hours and impacted 6 million people at an economic cost of over $2 billion.
Telegraph wires sparked and shocked operators during the Carrington Event solar storm of 1859 as EMPs induced currents.
Another 1921 New York railroad storm caused signal and switch failures, halting trains. EMP impacted long transmission lines.
The near miss 2012 solar storm serves as a reminder that the Sun can unpredictably unleash civilization-wrecking space weather.

Atmospheric Nuclear Tests

Above ground nuclear tests also caused EMPs:

1958-1962 exoatmospheric tests like Operation Fishbowl in the Pacific caused radios to go out, and phones to ring in Hawaii.
The 1.4 megaton Starfish Prime test in 1962 created EMPs that spanned Hawaii, damaging electrical systems and lighting.
Soviet Test 184 detonated at 290 km altitude intentionally to study EMP, creating shocks felt around the world.
Smaller regional EMPs occurred in areas around test sites, like the Pacific Proving Grounds or Novaya Zemlya in the Arctic.

Even below-space blasts that do not directly contact the ground can trigger widespread EMP via interactions between bomb radiation and atmospheric molecules.

EMP Device Demonstrations

Localised EMP device effects have also been observed:

The military EMP simulator at White Sands used to test civilian aircraft components and small missile systems for susceptibility.
Boeing tested a 747 jet in flight at 35,000 feet over Kansas City with a simulated EMP device able to disrupt electronics.
The Soviet Union had truck-mounted EMP microwave generators called labs to disable battlefield equipment electronics.
However, contained mobile EMP devices do not produce nearly the area impacts of nuclear bomb EMPs.

Important Lessons and Takeaways

In summary, real-world EMP events prove that this phenomenon poses substantial infrastructure disruption risks:

EMP impacts occurred over wide areas, showing geographical remoteness does not guarantee safety.
Natural and nuclear EMPs have demonstrated ability to damage electrical grids and connected electronics.
Past space weather events indicate severe solar storms capable of causing EMPs can happen unpredictably.
With society deeply reliant on modern technology, we remain fundamentally vulnerable to EMP disruption.
But with adequate precautions, EMPs do not need to be existential threats. Take actionable preparedness steps and continue learning from WeLovePrepping.

The historical record makes clear that EMPs deserve serious attention. But we should not succumb to fatalism - rather, use knowledge to inform pragmatic preparedness.

What Is an Electromagnetic Pulse?