Post-Collapse Complexity Cascade: A Thermodynamic Framework for Punctuated Reorganization of Biological Systems After Mass Extinction Events

Background: The Modern Synthesis explains adaptive evolution in stable environments but struggles to account for post-extinction radiations and punctuated innovations such as the Cambrian Explosion, Great Oxidation Event, and Holocene cultural emergence. We propose that mass extinction events act as high-entropy perturbations Ω (Ω₀) that create far-from-equilibrium abiotic states 0-bio, enabling reorganization of latent biological information URGL into novel configurations. Model: We formalize a Post-Collapse Complexity Cascade (PCCC) model where dΨ/dt = k · URGL (t) · ∇μ (t) − δΨ, with URGL decaying as URGL (t) = Σ αᵢ lᵢ e^ (-λᵢ (t−t₀) ). URGL is defined as four tiers of persistent biological information: cryptic structures, lipids, conformational templates, and chiral molecules. Results: The model predicts: (1) Lag times of 10–30% between collapse and innovation; (2) Wave-like emergence of new complexity; (3) Reuse of pre-existing dormant genetic elements. These predictions match all major events from the Great Oxidation Event (2. 4 Gya) to the Toba supereruption (74 kya). The case study on human evolution shows reorganization waves 50–8 kya, explaining admixture patterns and cultural transitions. Full dataset and scripts available at: https: //doi. org/10. 5281/zenodo. 19637169 Conclusions: PCCC extends evolutionary theory by providing a measurable thermodynamic mechanism for rapid innovation. It is falsifiable via ancient DNA analysis and fully compatible with the Extended Evolutionary Synthesis.