PSI: A Relaxation-Based Framework for Critical Volcanic Transitions

This work proposes the Planetary Stability Interface (PSI), a relaxation-based framework designed to analyze metastable dynamics, critical slowing down, perturbation persistence, and recovery degradation in complex geophysical systems. Rather than interpreting volcanic and tectonic instability solely as a consequence of energetic accumulation, PSI investigates the possibility that catastrophic transitions may also emerge through progressive weakening of dissipative recovery capability. The framework integrates concepts from nonlinear dynamics, stochastic critical-transition theory, metastability, and multiparametric geophysical monitoring into a unified stability-oriented perspective. Potential applications include: volcanic unrest monitoring, hydrothermal instability analysis, tectonic transition dynamics, and comparative evaluation against existing early-warning methodologies. This publication is conceptual and exploratory in nature and is intended to support future empirical validation using real-world geophysical datasets.