The theory has its ties in long-lost sciences dealing with the make-up of matter, and the term itself is believed to have been coined long ago, perhaps back in the Expedition era. The theory is that some force within the heart of Sinai has an effect on the movements of particles that make up matter, disrupting their natural order. The closer one is the surface, the greater this influence has on particles, thus making matter behave in slightly unpredictable ways.

Due to the regulatory nature of biological matter, it seems that living beings are not affected in quite the same way complex machines are, but there still is a higher incidence of mutation on the surface ... a phenomenon which may well be linked to Quantum Uncertainty.

Peculiar devices such as the Chronotopian Quantometer are designed to "measure" this phenomenon, though -- by definition -- without a high degree of accuracy. Quantum Uncertainty generally increases with a decrease in altitude, but it also increases within places known to be unfused with high levels of magic -- such as Forbidden Zones and ancient First Ones sites.