System Collapse

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A system collapse is when a system loses a large number or even all of its headmates in a short span of time.

This may be due to trauma or other stressors, although some systems may experience periodic collapses naturally, as part of how their system functions.

After system collapse a system may be reduced to a singlet or a small number of headmates; thereafter it is possible to grow as a system again with new headmates or recovering old ones.

Related Terms
Some systems go through regular cycles of collapses and rebuilding, like cyclogenic ones.

Bloom, a period of gaining a lot of members, may be considered an antonym.