EMP: Threat and Mitigation

Geoff BillinOctober 13, 2011

EMP = Electro-Magnetic Pulse

– Specialized nuclear device

• Generated by:

– The sun

• Effects can be local, regional, national

• Generally no radiation threat

• Weapons thought to be available to some adversaries.

Effects of EMP

• Super-large electrical voltages applied to wiring:

– Antennas

– Power lines (long-distance and local)– Telephone lines– Network cables

Effects of EMP (2)

• Many solid-state devices are affected:– Radios– Desktop computers– Vehicle microprocessors– Cell phone towers– Digital control systems

Effects of EMP (3)

• Devices maybe not affected:– Laptops with no wiring (power/network)– Cell phones (but towers are out of service)– Hand-held radios

• Military equipment is less susceptible.

Cascading EMP Effects

• Power distribution is controlled by microprocessors, so power is out.

• Most if not all communication is out.• Most vehicles are unavailable.• Heating and refrigeration are unavailable.• Water cannot be pumped.• Food cannot be transported.• Medicine cannot be kept cool.

“Bottom Line”

Shelter is compromisedWater becomes unavailableFood becomes unavailable

CHAOS

Emergency Managers

• MANAGE emergencies• PLAN for disasters• SURVIVE catastrophes

On the other hand…

• An event might not be widespread.

• Rural and small-town residents may be better able to cope.

• The event may never occur.

Mitigation

• Store water and food. More than 72 hours!• Protect electronic gear:– “Faraday cage”– Underground

• Keep a stock of personal medications.• Arm yourself (?)• Learn how to live a simpler (i.e. 1800’s) life for

a while.

Mitigation - Specific

• Microwave oven = Faraday cage

“Good” Reading

• “One Second After” by William F. Forstchen:A dark novel predicated on a continent-wide EMP attack.

• “Report of the Commission to Assess the Threat to the United States from Electromagnetic Pulse Attack”

• “Lights Out” by David Crawford

Questions? Comments?

Thank you!