title: Model for cascading failures in complex networks.
abstract: Large but rare cascades triggered by small initial shocks are present in most of the infrastructure networks. Here we present a simple model for cascading failures based on the dynamical redistribution of the flow on the network. We show that the breakdown of a single node is sufficient to collapse the efficiency of the entire system if the node is among the ones with largest load. This is particularly important for real-world networks with a highly hetereogeneous distribution of loads as the Internet and electrical power grids.
authors.affiliation: Scuola Superiore di Catania, Via S. Paolo 73, 95123 Catania, Italy.
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Crucitti
authors.forename: Vito
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Latora
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Marchiori