Surges

A surge is a sudden, short-lived increase in a quantity or intensity beyond its baseline, often accompanied by rapid onset and decay. Surges can arise from environmental forces, technological faults, or human activity, and may vary in duration, magnitude, and reversibility.

In electrical systems, surges are brief spikes in voltage or current caused by lightning, utility switching, faults, or switching transients. They can damage electrical devices and reduce lifespans. Protection methods include surge protective devices, proper grounding, and surge suppression components.

In hydrology, storm surges are temporary increases in sea level generated by strong winds, low atmospheric pressure, and waves during storms; tsunami surges describe rapid water level rise from tectonic events. Impacts include coastal flooding and infrastructure damage; warning systems and coastal defenses mitigate risk.

In economics and consumer behavior, surges refer to rapid increases in demand, supply, or prices. Surge pricing, used by ride-hailing services and airlines, adjusts prices in response to demand; while it can improve capacity use, it may raise concerns about affordability and fairness. Data surges and load surges in networks require capacity planning.

Biological surges describe temporary population booms or outbreak events, such as insect outbreaks or algal blooms, often tied to favorable conditions. In healthcare and infrastructure, surge capacity refers to the ability to expand services during emergencies, requiring staffing, beds, and equipment to handle sudden demand.