Most nuclear explosions produce an Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP). Surface explosions produce blast effects which are far more destructive than the EMP effects. How­ ever, with exoatmospheric bursts, since there is no significant overpressure, the EMP becomes a dominant threat. Furthermore, EMP travels in line-of-sight fashion to the horizon; the higher the altitude of detonation the great­ er the area affected. Thus, a large portion of the Un itedStates could be affected by EMP from a single exo­ atmospheric blast. The transmission lines and other elements of an entire electric power system grid could be suddenly and almost simultaneously illuminated by very intense electromagnetic fields. Because of this dominant role for high altitude nuclear events, this paper considers the EMP effects resulting solely f r omsu ch bursts.

B.K. Lambert

Papers

Vulnerability of regional electric power systems to nuclear weapons effects. Final report