catastrophe theory

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catastrophe theory

Branch of mathematics (considered a branch of geometry) that explores how gradual changes to a system produce sudden, drastic results (though usually not as dire as the name suggests). A simple example is how a plastic coffee stirrer subjected to gradually increasing pressure from both ends will suddenly buckle in one direction or another. Other “catastrophes” include optical phenomena such as reflection or refraction of light through moving water. More speculatively, ideas from catastrophe theory have been applied by social scientists to such situations as the sudden eruption of mob violence.

catastrophe theory [kə′tas·trə·fē ‚thē·ə·rē]

(mathematics)

A theory of mathematical structure in which smooth continuous inputs lead to discontinuous responses.

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No references found			Conducting the paleontological equivalent of crime scene investigations on the bonebed, its fossil specimens and the surrounding geological data, Pyenson and his colleagues Randall Irmis and Jere Lipps were able to disprove the one-time catastrophe theory. Century-old enigma of prehistoric marine mass grave solved by Asian News International Darwin also changed views on catastrophe theory - pointing out that really big events kick start really big changes. Natural selection decides survivors by The Journal (Newcastle, England) According to the Toba catastrophe theory, a supervolcanic event 75,000 years ago at Lake Toba, on Sumatra, triggered an ice age that changed the course of human history by creating a bottleneck in evolution. Matias Duville: Galeria Alberto Sendros by Gainza, Maria / Artforum International			catalytically-blown asphalt Catamaran Catamarca Catamnesis catamount Catanduanes Catania Catanzaro cataphoresis Cataphylaxis catapleiite cataplexy Catapochrotidae Catapult Cataract cataracting Catargiu, Lascar catarobic Catarrh Catarrh of the Respiratory Tract catarrhal conjunctivitis Catarrhal Fever of Sheep catarrhal jaundice Catarrhina catastrophe catastrophe theory catastrophic error catastrophic failure catastrophism Catastrophism, Theory of Catatonia catatonic catatonic schizophrenia Catatumbo River Catawba Catawba County Catawba Island State Park Catawba River catazone catbird catch catch basin catch crop Catch Cropping catch drain catch pit catch platform Catch-22 catch-all mailbox Catch-As-Catch-Can catcher			Catasauqua Area School District Catasetum Catasetum macrocarpum catastalsis catastaltic catastaltic catastases catastasis Catasterism Catasterismi Catastroika Catastroika Catastroika catastrophe catastrophe catastrophe catastrophe Catastrophe At Take-Off Catastrophe Beneath the Heavens Catastrophe bond Catastrophe bond Catastrophe bond Catastrophe bond Catastrophe bonds Catastrophe call Catastrophe Calls Catastrophe Duty Assistance Services Catastrophe Personnel Tracking System catastrophe policy Catastrophe Risk Evaluating and Standardising Target Accumulations catastrophe theory Catastrophes Catastrophes Catastrophes Catastrophes catastrophic catastrophic catastrophic catastrophic Catastrophic Anthropogenic Global Warming Catastrophic Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome Catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome Catastrophic Avalanches: Defense Structures and Zoning In Europe Catastrophic Benefit Catastrophic Benefits Catastrophic bonds Catastrophic Cap and Deductible Database catastrophic care Catastrophic Disaster Response Group Catastrophic Disaster Response Plan catastrophic error Catastrophic failure Catastrophic Failure Rate Catastrophic Health Care Expense Program catastrophic health insurance catastrophic illness catastrophic illness Catastrophic Illness Assistance Foundation Catastrophic Illness in Children Relief Fund Catastrophic illness insurance Catastrophic Incident Search and Rescue

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