While I don't have ultimate answers, when I need to simplify a
   somewhat similar concept, I conceptualize to "gap" As you said,
   peaks with the _potential_ to have 'gaps' (or oscillations but I
   think of the gaps-between-peaks as the important factor here)
   without actually showing their gap-making potential because
   there was no disturbance. So, from whence the disturbance?
   Therein lies the rub.