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A spatial anomaly is a general term for any unusual disruption in the space-time continuum. They could be irregularities in gravity, ripples in space that could damage equipment and personnel, changes in the laws of physics, or disruptions harmful to the Human brain.

The Delphic Expanse was rife with such distortions, caused by massive spheres built by the Sphere-Builders to reconfigure space to resemble the trans-dimensional realm from which they hailed. The Triannons referred to the anomalies as "the breath of the Makers." (ENT: "The Xindi", "Chosen Realm")

The spatial anomalies in Star Trek: Enterprise were essentially the answer that the show's writers came up with as to why parts of the Delphic Expanse didn't adhere to the usual laws of physics. "When you say that in the Expanse the laws of physics don't apply in certain areas, what the hell does that mean? It's not that these anomalies just caused weirdness," remarked Brannon Braga. "What's cool about them is that they're actually part of a larger conspiracy, side effects of the Spheres re-engineering this area of space to be habitable for the trans-dimensional aliens." (Star Trek: Communicator issue 151, pp. 27-28)

The USS Enterprise-D once encountered a spatial anomaly, which turned out to be a multiphasic temporal convergence in the space-time continuum, caused by an eruption of anti-time. (TNG: "All Good Things...")

In 2373, a spatial distortion field appeared around Harry Kim, after which it collapsed and he disappeared. (VOY: "Displaced")

Another was encountered by the USS Voyager in the Delta Quadrant, and turned out to be a graviton ellipse: an extremely rare spatial anomaly that travels through subspace, emerging into normal space occasionally and without warning. (VOY: "One Small Step")

Borg spatial anomaly

Spatial anomaly created by the Borg

In 2401, a spatial anomaly appeared near the USS Avalon. It was preceded by subspace distortion, tachyon fluctuations, and a large spike in Hawking radiation. The anomaly subsequently emitted a massive burst of Adler-Lasky temporal radiation, before broadcasting a message in multiple languages asking for help from Admiral Jean-Luc Picard along with Article 15, an entreaty to join the Federation. After Picard arrived on the USS Stargazer and responded, the Singularity emerged from the anomaly. (PIC: "The Star Gazer")

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