Cascading failures

Cascading failures occur when a problem in one part of a system triggers a chain reaction, causing other parts to fail as well. Imagine a power grid: if one station goes down, nearby stations may become overloaded and also shut down to prevent damage. This ripple effect can lead to widespread outages or breakdowns. Cascading failures highlight how interconnected systems can be vulnerable, where an initial issue quickly spreads, emphasizing the importance of designing resilient systems to contain problems and prevent large-scale disruptions.