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Post Apocalyptic World (view source)
Revision as of 17:54, October 14, 2014
, 17:54, October 14, 2014Created rough draft of new article
The Post [[Apocalypse|Apocalyptic]] World, or PAW, is a reference to what life and the world might be like after any given cataclysmic event. There are relatively few [[disaster]]s that might occur to cause such a world. Far more commonly, events occur that cause a temporary [[localized disaster]] such as the condition of [[New Orleans]] in the months following [[Katrina|Katrina]].
==Apocalyptic Events==
There are several high-risk/low-probability events that can trigger a world-wide "apocalypse". One has to decide what events are worth preparing for. Preparing for the worst possible event has it benefits as it covers preparation for many more likely to occur but less long term events such as [[earthquake]]s, [[volcano]]es, [[hurricane]]s, [[flood]]s, and [[tornado]]es.
*'''[[Electromagnetic Pulse]]''' ([[EMP]]) is [[electromagnetic]] [[radiation]] from an explosion (especially a [[nuclear]] explosion) or an intensely fluctuating magnetic field such as a [[solar storm]] / [[solar flare]]. The resulting electric and [[magnetic]] fields may couple with electrical/electronic systems to produce damaging [[current]] and [[voltage]] surges. A large-yield [[nuclear weapon|nuclear warhead]] detonated at sufficient altitude has the potential to generate an EMP burst that would affect the greater part of the contiguous [[United States]]. A solar storm such as hit the [[Earth]] in 1859 would fry all [[satellite]]s in orbit and wipe out a significant portion of the world's electrical devices and [[electrical grid]]s. Depending on how strong the pulse is, unprotected electronics can be destroyed by the current and voltage surge, especially modern, more intricate and fragile components.
*'''[[Earthquake|Great Quakes]], [[Volcanic eruptions]] and [[Hurricanes]]''' , while incapable of causing a world-wide PAW, can create a localized disaster such as the [[Katrina]] induced [[Third World]] conditions that much of the Southeast United States endured in the months following the [[storm]]. [[Tornado]] and major [[flood]]s can cause similar devastation, but on a much smaller scale.
*'''[[Nuclear war|Nuclear attack|]]''' is perhaps the worst possible [[Man-made disaster|man-made apocalypse]] because it could destroy virtually everything on the surface, causing a worldwide [[radioactive]] desert for some number of years forcing all life underground to survive.
==Life in a Post Apocalyptic World==
This has been the stuff of fiction (e.g. [[Stephen King]]'s ''The Stand'') and movies (e.g. ''[[Mad Max]]'') for decades. It is expected that due to [[societal collapse]] the rule of law will be absent as will any form of [[transportation]] and [[utilities]]. People will be reduced to [[barter]]ing for [[goods]] and [[services]], lynch [[mob]] rule regarding [[crime]] or further decline into simple nomadic [[hunter]]-gatherer gangs. In reality anything could happen but with [[survivalist retreat|preparation]] and dedication to principles and [[conservative values]] life even in a PAW can be satisfying and worthwhile.
==See Also==
* [[SHTF]] - Stuff Hits the Fan
* [[TEOTWAWKI]] - The End of the World as We Know It
* [[WROL]] - Without Rule of Law
==References==
*[http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn16400-major-solar-storm-could-cause-lasting-damage.html| Major Solar Storm Could Cause Lasting Damage]
[[Category:Glossary]]
[[Category:Science fiction]]
[[Category:Literary genres]]
[[Category:Science fiction]]
==Apocalyptic Events==
There are several high-risk/low-probability events that can trigger a world-wide "apocalypse". One has to decide what events are worth preparing for. Preparing for the worst possible event has it benefits as it covers preparation for many more likely to occur but less long term events such as [[earthquake]]s, [[volcano]]es, [[hurricane]]s, [[flood]]s, and [[tornado]]es.
*'''[[Electromagnetic Pulse]]''' ([[EMP]]) is [[electromagnetic]] [[radiation]] from an explosion (especially a [[nuclear]] explosion) or an intensely fluctuating magnetic field such as a [[solar storm]] / [[solar flare]]. The resulting electric and [[magnetic]] fields may couple with electrical/electronic systems to produce damaging [[current]] and [[voltage]] surges. A large-yield [[nuclear weapon|nuclear warhead]] detonated at sufficient altitude has the potential to generate an EMP burst that would affect the greater part of the contiguous [[United States]]. A solar storm such as hit the [[Earth]] in 1859 would fry all [[satellite]]s in orbit and wipe out a significant portion of the world's electrical devices and [[electrical grid]]s. Depending on how strong the pulse is, unprotected electronics can be destroyed by the current and voltage surge, especially modern, more intricate and fragile components.
*'''[[Earthquake|Great Quakes]], [[Volcanic eruptions]] and [[Hurricanes]]''' , while incapable of causing a world-wide PAW, can create a localized disaster such as the [[Katrina]] induced [[Third World]] conditions that much of the Southeast United States endured in the months following the [[storm]]. [[Tornado]] and major [[flood]]s can cause similar devastation, but on a much smaller scale.
*'''[[Nuclear war|Nuclear attack|]]''' is perhaps the worst possible [[Man-made disaster|man-made apocalypse]] because it could destroy virtually everything on the surface, causing a worldwide [[radioactive]] desert for some number of years forcing all life underground to survive.
==Life in a Post Apocalyptic World==
This has been the stuff of fiction (e.g. [[Stephen King]]'s ''The Stand'') and movies (e.g. ''[[Mad Max]]'') for decades. It is expected that due to [[societal collapse]] the rule of law will be absent as will any form of [[transportation]] and [[utilities]]. People will be reduced to [[barter]]ing for [[goods]] and [[services]], lynch [[mob]] rule regarding [[crime]] or further decline into simple nomadic [[hunter]]-gatherer gangs. In reality anything could happen but with [[survivalist retreat|preparation]] and dedication to principles and [[conservative values]] life even in a PAW can be satisfying and worthwhile.
==See Also==
* [[SHTF]] - Stuff Hits the Fan
* [[TEOTWAWKI]] - The End of the World as We Know It
* [[WROL]] - Without Rule of Law
==References==
*[http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn16400-major-solar-storm-could-cause-lasting-damage.html| Major Solar Storm Could Cause Lasting Damage]
[[Category:Glossary]]
[[Category:Science fiction]]
[[Category:Literary genres]]
[[Category:Science fiction]]