Here's The Weapon Of Newt Gingrich's Worst Nightmare

NASA Earth Observatory/NOAA NGDC

Are we ready for lights-out? An EMP could shut off widespread areas of power.

Newt Gingrich has warned the world of his worst nightmare: an electromagnetic pulse (EMP).

A high-powered EMP is a surge of electromagnetic energy created by a nuclear bomb detonated high in the atmosphere. Such an explosion could theoretically completely disrupt the U.S. power grid, especially along the northeastern seaboard.

These weapons could cause huge power outages and bring civilizations to their knees.

"This could be the kind of catastrophe that ends civilization — and that’s not an exaggeration," Gingrich said, addressing members of the Electromagnetic Pulse Caucus last week, Politico reported.