system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
ELI5: Compressor surge.
gpt
A compressor surge occurs when the discharge pressure is higher than the pressure the compressor can put out, literally causing a backwards flow/possible seizing of a compressor. This can cause immense damage to a compressor and/or turbine and is why they require surge protection valves.

Imagine a shallow stream flowing gently... Now hit it with a firehose pointing upstream. You've interrupted the flow with a higher pressure and potentially caused damage to the stream's structure.