[hols57]

Originally Posted by Rhynedahll

Electrical Magnetic Pulse is a very real world physical effect associated with nuclear detonations and solar flares.

The effect was first witnessed when H-bomb explosions in the Pacific played havoc with radio and power in Hawaii.

Supposedly as part of a first strike, the Soviets planned to detonate a 100 megaton bomb 300 miles over Kansas that would have fried every electronic circuit in the continental US.

The US government commissioned of study on the effects of EMP and the report is available on the web.

The 1859 Carrington event was a prime example of the sun's distaste for electrical circuits. Such an event today would turn off the lights everywhere.

Although perhaps infrequent or unlikely, this effect is definitely not fiction.

However, William R. Fortschen used it as the basis for his PA novel, One Second After. It's a good read, but beware, it's not for the faint of heart.

...Put it this way....if this ever doeshappen, I think we'll find there's a whole lot more to worry about than if suddenly you can't get anything on your reader!!