Chaos theory is a branch of physics that describes the evolution of processes that are dependent on initial conditions. Some processes, which at first glance appear to be random, can in fact be based on underlying patterns and interdependencies. The classic example of a chaotic system is termed the ‘butterfly effect’, first highlighted by mathematician and meteorologist Edward Lorenz. Lorenz envisaged the apparent chaos of a tornado being dependent on a butterfly flapping its wings several weeks prior to the storm. Almost negligible changes in initial conditions can have dramatic and unpredictable effects on the evolution of a chaotic system.