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A distortion field or spatial distortion field was a type of energy field that could be associated with various natural and artificial phenomena.

Natural examples[]

Nervala IV was surrounded by a distortion field that precluded the use of transporters or shuttlecraft. Every eight years, the distortion field re-phased as the planet moved closer to its sun, creating small windows for transporting to or from the surface. In 2361, a massive energy surge in the distortion field that occurred while Lieutenant William T. Riker was beaming to the USS Potemkin caused a transporter accident and the creation of a transporter clone of him, Thomas Riker. (TNG: "Second Chances")

When the USS Enterprise-D encountered a temporal distortion in 2368, Lieutenant Commander Data reported fluctuations and a buildup of energy in the distortion field just before the USS Bozeman emerged. (TNG: "Cause And Effect")

A plasma streamer between two stars in the Igo sector exhibited a distortion field that blocked scanners. The field was inhabited by quasi-energy microbes. (TNG: "Realm Of Fear")

A subspace sinkhole in the Delta Quadrant generated a distortion field powerful enough to drag starships into a subspace pocket. In 2375, the field pulled in a USS Voyager shuttlecraft containing Lieutenant Commander Tuvok, Ensign Tom Paris, and The Doctor. The distortion field also bounced back any signals they attempted to send from inside the pocket. (VOY: "Gravity")

Artificial examples[]

The Kerkhovian transport tunnel was surrounded by a distortion field, which produced gravimetric interference that impaired subspace communication. (SNW: "Charades")

The opening of a Borg transwarp conduit was associated with a subspace distortion field. (TNG: "Descent")

Force fields used by the Dominion incorporated a spatial distortion field that prevented prisoners from being beamed out. (DS9: "The Jem'Hadar")

The Nyrian translocator used a polaron burst to create a spatial distortion field around the target just before transport. (VOY: "Displaced")

The emergence of a 29th century Federation timeship from a temporal rift was preceded by fluctuations in the distortion field. (VOY: "Future's End")

Federation Headquarters[]

USS Discovery approaches distortion field

The USS Discovery approaches the distortion field of Federation Headquarters

In the 32nd century, Federation Headquarters was surrounded by a massive distortion field that concealed its location and protected it from direct attack. The field had a mirrored exterior and was generated by the Headquarters' shield emitters, using power supplied by a fleet of starships connected to the space station by energy cables. The field had the characteristics of both a gravity well and a deflector shield. (DIS: "Die Trying", "There Is A Tide...")

In 3189, Minister Osyraa of the Emerald Chain gained passage through the distortion field via subterfuge after hijacking the USS Discovery. After negotiations between her and Fleet Admiral Charles Vance broke down, the Discovery was trapped inside the field until Osyraa's flagship, the Viridian, blasted a hole with its weaponry. (DIS: "There Is A Tide...", "That Hope Is You, Part 2")

By 3190, following the discovery of a new source of dilithium and the conclusion of hostilities with the Emerald Chain, the Headquarters no longer needed to be hidden by the distortion field. (DIS: "Kobayashi Maru")

See also[]

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