Tipping point theory, historical examples This article gives a wonderful overview of tipping point theory, where a large system can be brought into a different state by a small perturbation.



Searching online I have found mostly articles on theoreticly based studies on tipping point theory and some speculating on the consequences that may occur due to global warming.



I am wondering if these tipping point theories are still all theoretical or are there any historical examples that provide as a base for these anticipated changes? For example, area the transitions between Eras and Periods also caused by tipping points or are they more gradual changes of the system because they occur on a very large timescale?
Tipping point events have occurred throughout earth's history and parts of the earth system are currently being monitored for signs of abrupt change. Past earth system tipping points include The Great Oxygenation which brought molecular oxygen (O2) into the atmosphere and Snowball Earth events where the earth's surface became ice-covered. Tipping points can occur on a planetary scale, as in the previous examples. These events can also occur on a regional  scale. For example, the West Antarctic Ice Sheet is a regional feature that is currently being monitored for signs of collapse.