Time rift

Some areas of spacetime weaknesses known as a time rift (or temporal rift) through which people or objects may pass from one location in spacetime to another.

Often at least one end of the time rift remains stationary, though the other may roam. (torchwood.org.uk)

People (DW: Image of the Fendahl, The Unquiet Dead) or even whole species (PDA: The Quantum Archangel) may develop a degree of time sensitivity or other psychic powers.

Technology, such as the Torchwood Institute's device can to a limited degree control such rifts but inexactly. (torchwood.org.uk, TW: Captain Jack Harkness, End of Days).

The TARDIS can use time rifts to power up. (DW: Boom Town)


 * Possibly, the rifts leak out temporal energy, which the TARDIS can absorb. Following the destruction of Gallifrey, the TARDIS would have needed a new source of power with the Eye of Harmony now presumbably gone.

Earth possesses at least one major time rift, located in Cardiff. (DW: The Unquiet Dead, Boom Town, TW: Everything Changes onwards).