Discontinuities refer to breaks or gaps in a process, system, or material. For example, in mathematics, a discontinuity occurs when a function suddenly jumps or has a hole, making it impossible to draw the graph smoothly. This concept helps us understand how certain values or behaviors can change unexpectedly.
In the field of geology, discontinuities can describe layers of rock that do not align perfectly, indicating a shift in geological history. For instance, the Mohorovičić discontinuity marks the boundary between the Earth's crust and the underlying mantle, revealing important information about our planet's structure and formation.