THE AFTERMATH OF AN EMP PRESENTS A REAL DANGER FOR THE U.S.
Consider everything you use daily that's connected to the Internet. Now, simply think of the electronics that aren’t even in need of the Internet but still rely on electricity. Though the lines between those two become increasingly smaller, it doesn’t take much to realize that both are critical for the infrastructure of our country and our way of life. An EMP can take it all away in a dramatic fashion. There have been EMPs portrayed in movies, TV shows, and video games, but what would it take to survive an EMP attack? Any way you look at it, Americans would face world-altering, life-changing conditions. Read next:Weapons of Mass Destruction: More Than Just Nukes
What Is an EMP?
An EMP (electromagnetic pulse), otherwise known as a transient electromagnetic disturbance (TED), is when a burst of electromagnetic energy is so intense that it short-circuits electronic equipment. This can be something as small as a home security system or something more severe such as our nation’s electrical grid. Furthermore, while an EMP can be caused by an attack, they're also possible through another source: nature. EMPs can occur naturally when the sun shoots out a large amount of plasma at once. Our magnetic field can become affected by such activity, and electronics suffer as a result.
How Does an EMP Work?
When an EMP occurs, an electromagnetic field pulses through the Earth and causes a wide range of electronics to become useless. The electronics that can short circuit range from small everyday items such as your phone to larger pieces of infrastructure, like traffic lights.
Expect Much More Than a Lack of WiFi
Not to make anyone panic, but an EMP attack would be much more inconvenient than being forced to go outside to socialize or not having access to the newest dance trends and memes. There are real-life consequences that can occur following an electrical attack. For example:
- Production issues and food shortages are guaranteed.
- A major disruption to the economy in virtually every industry will drain bank accounts and should create a depression.
- Healthcare and other vital services would not be able to function for quite some time.
- Realistically, if an EMP bomb were to go off, it would likely be caused by a nuclear warhead. If someone's shooting off nuclear warheads, the lack of Internet might not last long, as you can expect multiple nukes to be fired both at and from the United States.
Information would be lost, as would lives, and the very existence of mankind would come into question. Thankfully, it’s that very last part that remains arguably the best EMP protection available. Nuclear deterrence continues to work, and while we can’t just take it for granted, combined with America’s Nuclear Triad, our country continues to prepare for the worst and keep us protected. While potentially less extreme, similar aftermath would follow in the U.S. should we ever suffer from an EMP that occurs naturally. The vulnerability our military would suffer could also give our enemies time to strike amidst the chaos. Thankfully, due to international treaties and military bases around the world, we are also safeguarded from such exploits, so long as cooler heads prevail.
How Long Does an EMP Disable Electronics?
Some electronics could survive an EMP. Others may take a few hours. Others still could take months, if not years, if not a decade. But of course, there are some that will be gone for good regardless. The real answer is that there is no answer to how long it would take for electronics to bounce back. There's a range of variables that make it impossible to predict, but should we face an EMP, expect its effects to last quite some time. If you’re looking for EMP protection, an EMP shield could be a way to protect your home and your possessions from the threat.
How To Make an EMP
Looking to make your own electrical magnetic pulse? Seeking to learn how to make EMP grenades? For many reasons, we're not gonna put that in this article. Long story short, using an EMP is illegal in the United States, and you should never attempt to make one. This also means that if you look up on, say, YouTube or any other search engine anything about constructing an EMP gun or EMP jammer and using it, you could face steep charges. If America ever does face a widespread EMP attack, the ramifications would be catastrophic on multiple levels. Thankfully, we have the most elite fighting forces in the air, on land, in space, and over the sea protecting our way of life. Suggested read:Think You Know How To Survive a Nuclear Bomb? Find Out Here!
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