title: Extreme fluctuations and the finite lifetime of the turbulent state.
abstract: We argue that the transition to turbulence is controlled by large amplitude events that follow extreme distribution theory. The theory suggests an explanation for recent observations of the turbulent state lifetime which exhibit superexponential scaling behavior with Reynolds number.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1110 West Green Street, Urbana, Illinois 61801-3080, USA.
authors.forename: Nigel
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Goldenfeld
authors.forename: Nicholas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Guttenberg
authors.forename: Gustavo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gioia