Based on Richard Muller's book, Physics for Future Presidents, National Geographic investigates the science behind the dangers of a high-altitude electromagnetic pulse, or HEMP. Picture an instantaneous deathblow to the vital engines that power our society, delivered by a nuclear weapon designed not to kill humans but to attack electronics. What could happen if an electromagnetic pulse surged to earth, crippling every aspect of modern society's infrastructure, including our especially vulnerable electrical grid?

Beyond the remote potential for terrorists or a rogue state deploying a nuclear HEMP, most experts agree that another source of an EMP—the sun—is inevitable. Now, get a full presidential briefing to understand what could be the electronic Armageddon in one of the world's most wired countries.

Not available for shipment outside of the U.S. and Canada.

• 1 disc; 50 minutes
• Widescreen
• © 2010

DVD-R Format

The DVD-R is a non-rewriteable digital format that is compatible with most commercial DVD players. The DVD-R format is created with MPEG2 Variable Bit Rate Compression with stereo sound.

How our DVDs and DVD-Rs Differ

Customers who purchase programs in the NG DVD Exclusives Library will receive a non-interactive, play only disc. There is no chaptering information on these DVDs, but there are chapter marks approximately every five minutes, which make it easy to fast forward through a program. The DVD-R format provides the digital video and audio quality you expect from all of our DVDs.

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