Tohoku was an exceptional event and this may explain why Goce, on this occasion, was able to pick it up.

BBC: Japan quake 'heard at edge of space'

"White Turf is an exceptional event, " said the event's president, Silvio Staub.

CNN: Cool racing: Horses battle on snow

"I think we all realise that the riots were an exceptional event but it's the case that if, for instance, a gang raids a bank then that counts as one crime even if there were four people in that gang, " he said.

BBC: More crimes added to police mapping website

"Protracted debate prior to increasing the debt ceiling is not an exceptional event, but against the backdrop of unprecedentedly large peacetime budget deficits and outstanding debt, any delay in raising the limit would pose ever-increasing risks to the ability of the federal government to honour its obligations in a timely fashion, " Fitch said in a statement.

BBC: Triple A letters

What I call a "Black Swan" is an exceptional unpredictable event that, unlike the bird, carries a huge impact.

FORBES

Race organisers were aware that poor weather might damage the 200 acres of grass car parks after moving the Grand Prix event from July to Easter, but said conditions had been "exceptional".

BBC: F1 pledge to beat weather