catastrophe theory
noun
: mathematical theory and conjecture that uses topology to explain events (such as an earthquake or a stock market crash) characterized by major abrupt changes
Examples of catastrophe theory in a Sentence
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Spencer Wells implicitly endorses this reality by his tacit support for the Toba catastrophe theory.
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Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 5 Nov. 2010
Vogel reports that Stanley Ambrose of the University of Illinois, one of the originators of the Toba catastrophe theory, argues that layers of sand above the ash indicates climate change at the Pinnacles site and a decrease in population.
—Jason Daley, Smithsonian, 14 Mar. 2018
Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 5 Nov. 2010
Vogel reports that Stanley Ambrose of the University of Illinois, one of the originators of the Toba catastrophe theory, argues that layers of sand above the ash indicates climate change at the Pinnacles site and a decrease in population.
—Jason Daley, Smithsonian, 14 Mar. 2018
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'catastrophe theory.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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“Catastrophe theory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/catastrophe%20theory. Accessed 26 Apr. 2024.
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