Graviton shear was a destructive and highly dangerous type of shear force phenomenon which, if found in high enough levels, could increase pressure on a vessel's hull enough to destroy the ship. Graviton shear existed in dangerous amounts in the phenomenon known as "chaotic space," due to constant changes in the gravitational coefficient. In 2375, when the USS Voyager became trapped in one of these regions in the Delta Quadrant, the ship was nearly destroyed by these forces, although Commander Chakotay, Voyager's first officer, managed to plot a course which allowed the ship to escape in time. (VOY: "The Fight")