How Long Will an EMP Last?

by Aaron Pattison

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.

Related: 8 Nuclear Attack Myths You Should Stop Believing

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.

Aftermath of an EMP

Short-Term Effects

Short-term effects occur in the first seconds to days after the EMP. Unshielded electronic devices will have been destroyed or severely damaged already, leading to the loss of usable vehicles, communications systems, and power grid controls.

Transportation and logistics will immediately grind to a halt, along with the majority of critical commodities and emergency services relying on it.

Banking systems will no longer function, rendering digital money useless and forcing the populace into cash or barter systems.

Television and most radio systems will no longer work, immediately cutting off outside information and drastically reducing situational awareness.

Medium-Term Effects

Medium-term effects occur in the days to months after the EMP. Water and food supply disruptions will cause widespread hunger and dehydration. This, combined with hospitals struggling to function, will lead to a sanitation and health crisis.  There will be an antibiotics shortage, so learn here how to stockpile antibiotics without a prescription, before it’s too late.

With banking and economic systems unable to operate, millions of people will become jobless and unable to access any savings they did not already physically possess when the attack occurred. Economic instability will rapidly grow, with families dropping into deep poverty as their stocks dwindle.

Long-Term Effects

Long-term effects occur in the months to years after the attack. Replacing all critical infrastructure would be a monumental task, setting industries back for years. The long lead time for replacement parts could cause the rampant spread of disease from water-borne illnesses and the exacerbation of health problems.

By now, the social and political problems will have grown drastically, leading to civil unrest and the possible collapse of an effective government beyond areas localized around government centers.  Enemy armies could invade if they were not subjected to an EMP counterattack and still had functional electronics.

Recovery Time

Recovery time would likely take more than a decade. Critical infrastructure, supply, and emergency services would be prioritized in the first days to months. In the first few years, electrical supply will begin to reach cities and essential services again. It would take a decade or more to return to normalcy.

Essentially, an EMP attack will be extremely damaging for up to a few minutes, with immediate and slow-burning effects that can last for years. The more off-grid your lifestyle and the greater your stockpile of essential supplies, the better chances you will have to escape the crisis. Food and water stockpiling will help, but a sustainable production source is better. Backup critical vehicle electronics, solar panels, radios, generators, and other electrical essentials could be kept in EMP-shielded storage as an emergency kit to get you up and running faster after an EMP.

Combine passive preparedness, like stockpiling, with active preparedness. Drill with your family on how to replace the vehicle electronics, build solar panel systems, and generate electricity from spare parts. Not only will this dramatically improve your chances of surviving successfully, but it will also allow you to become extremely valuable to others in your community if you choose to share this information with your neighbors.

How have you prepared for a potential EMP? Share your tips and strategies with us!

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