EMP

An electromagnetic pulse (EMP) is a large blast of natural or artificial electromagnetic energy. They may occur randomly in nature or as part of a deliberate attack.

EMPs are short but powerful and may transpire as an electromagnetic field, magnetic field, electric field, and conducted electric current. An EMP can cause physical damage and greatly interfere with communications and electronic devices.

Natural EMP occurrences

There are various ways in which EMPs may materialize in nature. Common culprits include lightning strikes and the electrostatic discharge that takes place when two charged objects make contact or come close to each other. Other, more infrequent, natural occurrences include solar bursts when the sun emits enough plasma to impact the Earth's magnetic field and meteoric EMPs when a meteor breaks up in the Earth's atmosphere or crashes into a spacecraft.

Artificial EMP occurrences

EMPs may also occur due to human-made devices, including electric motors, power line surges, and gasoline ignition systems. Since they can cause widespread damage, militaries have also employed EMPs in nuclear and non-nuclear weapons.