Diffusion dynamics and information spreading in multilayer networks: An overview

Abstract

Recent years have seen multilayer networks taking the helm at network science research. Diffusion dynamics and information spreading in multilayer networks are thereby two of the most explored topics, with numerous applications in social, technological, and biological systems. Almost a decade ago, groundbreaking research has shown that even small and seemingly unimportant changes in one network layer can have catastrophic consequences in many other network layers. Such failure cascades across different network layers can, for example, shut down power grids, arrest traffic, idle virality, or impair cooperation. Different spreading processes are often the common denominator of such phenomena, and in the light of their importance, we here present a brief overview of this subject.