Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP)

Nuclear explosions create a high energy pulse of electrical and magnetic energy that can disrupt electronics for hundreds of miles.  Note that this pulse can also be created by non-nuclear EMP weapons.

EMP:  The electromagnetic radiation from a nuclear explosion caused by Compton-recoil electrons and photoelectrons from photons scattered in the materials of the nuclear device or in a surrounding medium.  The resulting electric and magnetic fields may couple with electrical/electronic systems to produce damaging current and voltage surges.  May also be caused by non-nuclear means.

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