320-090 Elecpuls Fs

Electromagnetic Pulse
(EMP)
September 2003
Fact Sheet 320-090
Division of Environmental Health
Office of Radiation Protection
WHAT IS EMP AND

HOW IS IT CREATED?
The most important mechanism for Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) production from a
nuclear detonation is the ionization of air molecules by gamma rays generated from the
explosion. These gamma rays ionize the air molecules by interacting with the air
molecules to produce positive ions and recoil electrons called Compton electrons. This
pulse of energy, which produces a powerful electromagnetic field, particularly within the
vicinity of the weapon burst, is called an electromagnetic pulse. EMP can also be
produced from non-nuclear sources, such as electromagnetic bombs, or E-bombs.
High-altitude nuclear detonations and electromagnetic bombs can generate EMP that
has the potential to damage or destroy electronic devices over widespread areas.
Electric power systems would also be at risk from surges produced by such weapons.
However, the EMP from a kiloton-range surface nuclear explosion would not be
expected to produce serious damage outside the radius of severe destruction from
blast.
A 1.4 Megaton bomb launched about 250 miles above Kansas would destroy most of
the electronics that were not protected in the entire Continental United States. During
the brief return to atmospheric testing in 1962, a 1.4 megaton nuclear weapon was
detonated over Johnston Island at an altitude of about 250 miles. The effects of EMP
were observed in Hawaii, 800 miles east of the detonation. Streetlights and fuses failed
on Oahu and telephone service was disrupted on the Island of Kauai.
IS EMP RADIOACTIVE?
EMP is not radioactive, but a pulse of energy produced as a side effect of a nuclear
detonation or electromagnetic bomb.
WHAT ARE THE HEALTH EFFECTS?

EMP has no known effect on living organisms, but can temporarily or permanently
disable electrical and electronic equipment.
WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS ON ELECTRONICS AND CARS?

When "detonated," an EMP weapon produces a pulse of energy that creates a powerful
electromagnetic field capable of short-circuiting a wide range of electronic equipment,
particularly computers, satellites, radios, radar receivers and even civilian traffic lights.
Since EMP is electromagnetic energy traveling at the speed of light, all of the vulnerable
electronic equipment in the detonation zone could be affected simultaneously.
Society has entered the information age and is dependent on electronic systems that
work with components that are very susceptible to excessive electric currents and
voltages. Many of these electronic systems are controlled in some way by
semiconductors. Semiconductor devices fail when they encounter an EMP because of
the local heating that occurs. Failure of semi-conductive chips could destroy industrial
processes, railway networks, power and phone systems, and access to water supplies.
Commercial computer equipment is particularly vulnerable to EMP effects. Computers

used in data processing systems, communications systems, displays, industrial control
applications, including road and rail signaling, and those embedded in military
equipment, such as signal processors, electronic flight controls and digital engine
control systems, are all potentially vulnerable to the EMP effect.
Other electronic devices and electrical equipment may also be destroyed by the EMP
effect. Telecommunications equipment can be highly vulnerable and receivers of all
varieties are particularly sensitive to EMP. Therefore radar and electronic warfare
equipment, satellite, microwave, UHF, VHF, HF and low band communications
equipment and television equipment are all potentially vulnerable to the EMP effect.
Cars with electronic ignition systems/ and ignition chips are also vulnerable.
Some other notable collectors of EMP include railroad tracks, large antennas, pipes,
cables, wires in buildings, and metal fencing. Although materials underground are
Fact Sheet #41 Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) Page 2 of 4

partially shielded by the ground, they are still collectors, and these collectors deliver the
EMP energy to some larger facility. This produces surges that can destroy the
connected device, such as, power generators or long distance telephone systems.
WHAT CAN BE DONE TO PROTECT ELECTRONICS

There are two basic ways to protect or harden items against EMP effects. The first
method is metallic shielding. Shields are made of a continuous piece of metal such as
steel or copper. A metal enclosure generally does not fully shield the interior because of
the small holes that are likely to exist. Therefore, this type of shielding often contains
additional elements to create the barrier. Commonly, only a fraction of a millimeter of a
metal is needed to supply adequate protection. This shield must completely surround
the item to be hardened.
The second method, tailored hardening, is a more cost-effective way of hardening. In

this method, only the most vulnerable elements and circuits are redesigned to be more
rugged. The more rugged elements will be able to withstand much higher currents. This
method has shown unpredictable failures in testing, though it is thought it may be useful
to make existing systems less vulnerable.
EMP AS A WEAPON
The non-lethal nature of electromagnetic weapons makes their use far less politically
damaging than that of conventional munitions, and therefore broadens the range of
military options available. For weapons purposes EMP producing sources other than
nuclear detonations have been successfully developed. Several nations, with United
States at the forefront, are reported to have developed non-nuclear bombs capable of
generating EMPs. Electromagnetic bombs (E-bombs) are specialized, non-nuclear tools
designed to destroy information systems. These devices are primarily intended for
battlefield application, and their effects would be restricted to a relatively small area.
An EMP shock wave can be produced by a device small enough to fit in a briefcase.
High Power Electromagnetic Pulse generation techniques and High Power Microwave
technology have matured to the point where practical E-bombs are becoming
technically feasible, with new applications in both Strategic and Tactical Information
Warfare. Although much of this work is classified, it's believed that current efforts are
based on using high-temperature superconductors to create intense magnetic fields.
The development of conventional E-bomb devices allows their use in non-nuclear
confrontations to defeat an enemy without causing loss of life.
Regardless of the method of delivery, experts agree that EMPs can be powerful enough
to cripple electronic wiring and circuitry over a geographic area as large as several
square miles, posing a real threat to the nation's critical infrastructure. In addition, the
Defense Department's reliance on satellites and commercial computer equipment to

conduct real-time command and control of forces around the world also puts military
operations at risk, experts say. It is this aspect of the EMP effect which is of military
significance, as it can result in irreversible damage to a wide range of electrical and
electronic equipment, particularly computers and radio or radar receivers.
Sources
Glasstone, Samuel, ed., “The Effects of Nuclear Weapons”, USAEC, April 1962.
U.S. House of Representatives,

http://commdocs.house.gov/committees/security/has197010.000/has197010_1.HTM
Federation of American Scientists, Intelligence Resource Program, Weapons of Mass
Destruction, Intelligence Threat Assessments.
http://www.fas.org/irp/threat/mctl98-2/p2sec06.pdf
Popular Mechanics,
http://popularmechanics.com/technology/military-law/1281421.html
US Army Corps of Engineers,

http://www.fas.org/nuke/intro/nuke/emp/toc.htm
Links to external resources are provided as a public service and do not imply
endorsement by the Washington State Department of Health

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Electromagnetic Pulse

WHAT IS EMP AND

WHAT ARE THE HEALTH EFFECTS?

WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS ON ELECTRONICS AND CARS?

Commercial computer equipment is particularly vulnerable to EMP effects. Computers

Fact Sheet #41 Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) Page 2 of 4

WHAT CAN BE DONE TO PROTECT ELECTRONICS

The second method, tailored hardening, is a more cost-effective way of hardening. In

Fact Sheet #41 Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) Page 3 of 4

U.S. House of Representatives,

US Army Corps of Engineers,

Fact Sheet #41 Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) Page 4 of 4

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