Cascade (cascade effect)

A cascade, or cascade effect, occurs when a small change triggers a series of related events that amplify or spread across a system. Think of it like a row of dominoes: tipping the first causes each subsequent domino to fall, creating a chain reaction. In real-world terms, a minor failure in one part of a system—like a power line failure—can lead to widespread outages or problems elsewhere. Cascades highlight how interconnected systems can magnify small issues into large-scale impacts, emphasizing the importance of understanding and managing initial triggers to prevent widespread consequences.