During the Starfish Prime high-altitude nuclear test in 1962 , an unexpected effect was produced which is called a nuclear electromagnetic pulse . This is an intense flash of electromagnetic energy produced by a rain of high energy electrons which in turn are produced by a nuclear bomb 's gamma rays . This flash of energy can permanently destroy or disrupt electronic equipment if insufficiently shielded . It has been proposed to use this effect to disable an enemy 's military and civilian infrastructure as an adjunct to other nuclear or conventional military operations against that enemy . Because the effect is produced by high altitude nuclear detonations , it can produce damage to electronics over a wide , even continental , geographical area
Starfish Prime
Starfish Prime
Nuclear weapon