Electromagnetic Pulse Attack

Filling in for George, Art Bell spoke with Prof. William Forstchen for the entire program about how an electromagnetic pulse (EMP) attack by a rogue nation could disable America's power grid and communications infrastructure, and lead to an inconceivably high death toll.

Forstchen provided details on Starfish Prime, a high-altitude nuclear test conducted by the U.S. in 1962, which increased our awareness of the serious repercussions of EMP. The detonation took place high above the Pacific Ocean yet caused significant electrical damage several hundred miles away in Hawaii, he said.

Major solar flares can also produce EMP, Forstchen added, noting the Carrington Event of 1859, the most powerful solar storm in recorded history. If such a storm hit our planet today, over 80% of the electrical generating systems in the Eastern U.S. would still be offline four years later, he estimated.

Forstchen pointed out that North Korea or Iran could easily place an EMP-calibrated weapon within range of America and blow out the entire U.S. power grid. A 2004 Congressional Study projected a stunning 90% fatality rate from such an attack, he remarked, explaining that it would cause an almost immediate shortage of potable water, food and medical supplies, and eventually lead to a economic and societal collapse.

"We can stop this before it happens," Forstchen said, agreeing with Art's assessment that America should preemptively strike any country preparing to launch an EMP attack against it. Forstchen also proposed the U.S. harden its infrastructure and begin stockpiling replacement parts to rebuild it.

• onesecondafter.com

• One Second After

Related Articles

Sea Lions Fight Terrorism

The U.S. Navy has begun using specially trained sea lions in their post-9/11 fight against terrorism. A Californian sea lion named Gremlin recently demonstrated his underwater minesweeping skills by attaching a line to a test object on the sea floor (pictured). The super-trained animal can also immobilize suspicious divers with leg cuffs, as well as provide live video from under the surface. More at Mail Online.

Bumper Music

Bumper music from Friday November 27, 2009