Stock market crashes, also known as bubbles or panics, are periods of extreme volatility in the stock market. These periods of sudden and large changes in share prices may last only a day or two before calming down. But they can persist for much longer and can be devastating to those who depend on stock market returns for their retirement.

Stock prices plummet unexpectedly and suddenly in a stock market collapse. The stock market crash may result from a significant disaster, an economic crisis, or the bursting of a long-term bull market. As a result of a stock market meltdown, public hysteria can also play a significant role, causing panic selling and further depressing prices. In addition to the 1929 Great Depression, Black Monday in 1987, the 2001 dotcom bubble bust, the 2008 financial crisis, and the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, there have been notable stock market crashes.