Abstract: An electromagnetic pulse device having a conductive coil, and optionally a conductive core disposed within the coil and spaced apart there from. One or more plasma discharge devices are disposed at least partially along a length of the conductive coil and are spaced apart from the conductive coil. A spark gap or similar device is attached to the plasma discharge devices to activate them to produce a traveling electric discharge. The discharge creates a traveling short circuit in the conductive coil thereby compressing the magnetic field. The result is the production of an electromagnetic pulse. Further disclosed is a method for producing an electromagnetic pulse.