We describe a class of extreme events emerging in systems with discontinuous boundaries that exhibit stick-slip dynamics. This kind of systems is capable of generating extreme events when the system trajectory sticks to a sliding set and slides for a relatively large distance along the discontinuous boundary to one of the system's subspaces. We present two examples of such systems, a microelectromechanical cantilever and a driven class-B laser, where this type of extreme events appear. We show that their forecasting is possible by monitoring the sliding trajectory along the discontinuous boundary. In both cases, the probability distribution of recurrence times exhibits a power-law behavior, typical for extreme events. The results of this study can be of interest for engineering applications, for example, to predict extremely large-amplitude oscillations in cantilevers, systems with friction, lasers, and other systems with discontinuous boundaries.

• Received 13 April 2018

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.98.032203