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.