temporal rift
Chronological fabric rupture
A temporal rift is a hypothetical tear or rupture in the fabric of time, allowing passage between different eras or creating discontinuities in the normal flow of events.
The concept belongs almost entirely to science fiction and fantasy: The temporal rift opened, and dinosaurs wandered into downtown Chicago.
Characters might fall through temporal rifts accidentally or create them deliberately.
The term combines temporal (relating to time) with rift (a split or gap), suggesting time itself can be torn like physical space.
- time warpDistortion of chronology
- vortexRotating fluid column
- portalImposing entrance or gate
- anomalyDeparture from the expected
- tearTo pull apart
dimensional · parallel dimension · spacetime · paradox · time loop · continuum · flux · distortion · breach · gateway · event horizon · void · warp · fracture · chronological · displacement · singularity · quantum
- time traveltime machine, time loop, time jump, time slip, causal loop
temporal, rift, temp, tempo, temporary, temporarily, temporality, contemporaneous, contemporary