or ( EMP ):
( from the Glossary of
Telecommunication terms -
Federal Standard 1037C )
1. 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
magnectic fields may couple with electric/electronic
systems to produce damaging current and voltage surges. May also be caused by non-nuclear means.
2. A
broadband, high-intensity, short-duration burst of electromagnetic
energy.
note: In the case of a
nuclear detonation, the electromagnetic pulse consists of a
continuous frequency spectrum. Most of the energy is distributed throughout the lower frequencies between 3Hz and 30 kHz.
In other words, it's one of the reasons
the entire world may be 48 hours from total anarchy.