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Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP)
We have known of this possibility for twenty years and, as yet, ignore it. Further, the "disconnect" created by an EMP would starve perhaps hundreds of millions. Even the 18th century could be an optimistic guess about where we would be...
JimB "Think about this scenario: An ordinary-looking freighter ship heading toward New York or Los Angeles launches a missile from its hull or from a canister lowered into the sea. It hits a densely populated area. A million people are incinerated. The ship is then sunk. No one claims responsibility. There is no firm evidence as to who sponsored the attack, and thus no one against whom to launch a counterstrike. But as terrible as that scenario sounds, there is one that is worse. Let us say the freighter ship launches a nuclear-armed Shahab-3 missile off the coast of the U.S. and the missile explodes 300 miles over Chicago. The nuclear detonation in space creates an electromagnetic pulse (EMP). Gamma rays from the explosion, through the Compton Effect, generate three classes of disruptive electromagnetic pulses, which permanently destroy consumer electronics, the electronics in some automobiles and, most importantly, the hundreds of large transformers that distribute power throughout the U.S. All of our lights, refrigerators, water-pumping stations, TVs and radios stop running. We have no communication and no ability to provide food and water to 300 million Americans. This is what is referred to as an EMP attack, and such an attack would effectively throw America back technologically into the early 19th century." More at http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122748923919852015.html |
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Re: Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP)
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Re: Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP)
Tom,
Thanks for the information! My concern about EMP, however, is less about transistors but more for the secondary effects: the shock waves of panic that occur in densely packed urban settings when radios and televisions don't work and the market has nothing that you want and, if open, makes no commitments about future stocks. Remember, we have, thanks to EDP toys and competition to reduce costs, a "warehouse-limited" society. Just as most of us don't have six-twelve months of food and fuel stored, our industries also avoid large inventories. Expect food riots, shootings, and cannibalism. Just as the War Between the States left the South in an economic depression for a century, expect those riots to have a similar impact... JimB |
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