Physicists have performed a simulation they say sheds new light on an elusive phenomenon that could determine the ultimate fate of the universe.

Pioneering research in quantum field theory around 50 years ago proposed that the universe may be trapped in a false vacuum —meaning it appears stable but in fact could be on the verge of transitioning to an even more stable, true vacuum state.

While this process could trigger a catastrophic change in the universe’s structure, experts agree that predicting the timeline is challenging, but it is likely to occur over an astronomically long period, potentially spanning millions of years.