posted on Aug, 27 2008 @ 12:28 AM
" Actually, the impact of EMP is overstated. With explosions below 10km in altitude, the EMP effect is not significant - it's there, but to notice
it you'd have to be close enough to the fireball that your skin melting off would probably distract you from any EMP effects "
The Electromagnetic Magnetic Phenomena created by a nuclear explosion disrupts electronics and electrical devices for many miles.
This is due to to something called TREE. Transient Radiation Effects apon Electronics is due in part to the Electromagnetic Pulse which is itself a
large part of EMP which is produced at the instant of detonation of any nuclear device.
Whilst the Radiation may be transient, the effects apon electronic and electrical devices may be permament.
Most modern military computers and radio systems are protected to some degree against TREE and most, if not all systems would be switched off if a
nuclear strike is deemed to be imminent.
"EMP effects only become a a major concern with high altitude detonations (over 40km I think), where the prompt gamma radiation triggers a cascade of
electrons within the upper atmosphere"
This is not necessarily true. Any nuclear device that is detonated whose fireball does not touch the ground at Ground Zero, is called an Airburst or a
Low Altitude Explosion.
Should a nuclear device be detonated below cloud cover on say, an overcast day, the Heat, Shock or Blast waves and Electromagnetic Phenomena
[EMP] will have their effects magnified tremendously.
As you have rightly pointed out Xmotex, an Exo-Atmospheric Burst or Very High Altitude Detonation will produce significantly more EMP but military
insignificant fallout and no structural damage or casualties.
However, as was the case in Europe during the late 60/70s, when the Warsaw Pact detonated a nuclear device in space, there was severe radio and
television blackouts for several days and, it should be remembered that when the sun emits solar flares, this is in effect, a broad band
spectrum Electromagnetic Pulse.
[edit on 27-8-2008 by fritz]