How Long Will an EMP Last?
Source: https://www.askaprepper.com/
An electromagnetic pulse (EMP) is a powerful burst of electromagnetic radiation that can come from a variety of natural and artificial sources.
Intense electric and magnetic fields interact with electronics, causing severe damage. Localized sources could be a lightning strike, static discharge, or targeted EMP devices.
A high-altitude nuclear detonation can cause damage at the continental scale, and solar storms can affect the entire world.
How Does an EMP Affect Electronics?
EMPs cause rapid voltage spikes that overload or damage electrical systems. Modern electronics are designed to operate within very specific voltages, and the sudden surge of extremely high voltage causes components to overheat, burn out, or rupture.
Even in components designed for high voltages, an EMP can cause insulating materials to break down, leading to short-circuiting or arcing on circuit boards that destroy electrical pathways.
Electronics connected to the grid will be subjected to the greatest effects of an EMP, because powerlines act as antennas that collect and then channel the electromagnetic radiation directly into critical electronics.
Any appliances or electronics plugged in at home will receive the EMP burst through the air and an additional concentrated burst through power lines.
One of the best and only ways to avoid all you electronics being destroyed in the event of an EMP is covering them with this EMP-Proof Cloth.
How Long Does the Attack Last?
Fortunately, no one has been able to weaponize the power of a solar storm.
Unfortunately, nuclear weapons exist and pose a significant risk to the world.
High-altitude nuclear detonations are the most likely form of an attack EMP that could affect an entire nation.
These explosions occur at altitudes of at least 98,000 ft (up to hundreds of miles) and release radioactive particles (gamma rays) that produce three separate waves of effects conveniently called E1, E2, and E3.
The specific impacts of the EMP can vary significantly based on the yield size of the nuclear weapon and the altitude of the detonation, influencing both the intensity and range of the damage.
In general:
- E1 lasts less than a microsecond. It is a very fast pulse of energy caused by the gamma rays of the nuclear blast interacting with the atmosphere. Ionization occurs when electrons are knocked loose from countless atoms, sending a high-energy burst to the Earth’s surface that severely damages electrical systems. This is the most intense wave that causes the burning, overloading, and rupturing of electrical components.
- E2 occurs instantly after E1 and can last for a few milliseconds. It is the latent effect of the scattered gamma rays reaching the surface of the Earth. E2 is a bit slower and less powerful than E1 but can cause additional effects after the E1 wave has already damaged insulation and other protective measures.
- E3 begins as E2 is finishing and can last up to a few minutes. The ionization of the atmosphere causes distortions in the Earth’s magnetic field, which then causes geomagnetically induced currents. These currents affect long conductors, such as power lines and gas pipelines, potentially damaging critical grid components like transformers and electrical substations.
The EMP is finished within a few seconds or minutes, and the attack is over. However, the aftermath of an EMP strike is full of difficulties, and the struggle will be far from over.
