This process involves the spread of a feature or trend from one place to another in a snowballing process. It originates in a central location and then expands outward, impacting an increasing number of people and areas. A classic example is the spread of a new religious belief from a single hearth, gradually gaining followers in adjacent regions and then further afield, while often remaining strong in the area of origin.
Understanding this dispersal mechanism is crucial for analyzing cultural, economic, and political phenomena across geographic space. It helps explain how innovations, ideas, or diseases take hold and transform societies. Historically, it has played a significant role in shaping language patterns, agricultural practices, and even governmental structures across the globe.
