Subspace rift
From Memory Alpha, the free Star Trek reference
A subspace rift is a type of subspace anomaly that forms when a region of space where the fabric of space itself is weakened and subjected to high levels of warp energy. Until 2370, the existence of a subspace rift was entirely theoretical and dismissed by the Federation Science Council due to the lack of evidence. Its existence was proven that year, albeit at the cost of a scientist's life.
When a subspace rift forms, tetryon radiation levels in the vicinity increase rapidly and the high-energy distortion waves produced by such a rift have deleterious effects on a starship's shields and prolonged exposure to the waves will result in a catastrophic hull failure. Warp drive is rendered useless due to the dangerous effects of its use within a rift - using warp drive within a subspace rift can not only inflict heavy damage on a starship but it can also expand the rift further. However, it is possible to travel at faster-than-light speeds within a subspace rift if a starship's warp engines are saturated, engaged and disengaged before entering a rift. Taking such action will neither inflict heavy damage on a ship nor expand the rift further.
The USS Enterprise-D encountered the first subspace rift formation in 2370 on a rescue mission to recover the USS Fleming in the Hekaras Corridor after Hekaran scientist Serova caused a warp core breach on her ship to prove her theories about subspace rift formation. (TNG: "Force of Nature")
In 2372, a subspace rupture formed as Suspiria left her native realm to board the USS Voyager. The rupture sealed when she retreated back into subspace. (VOY: "Cold Fire")
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[edit] Apocrypha
- In the video game Star Trek: Invasion, it was discovered that before the invasion of the Klingon homeworld by the Hur'q, a powerful fleet of the Hur'q was sealed in a subspace rift. The rift was reopened in an attempt to have the Hur'q rule once again in 2375, but their plot was foiled by the USS Typhon.
