Editing Multiverse (section)

==== Level I: An extension of our universe ====
A prediction of [[Inflation (cosmology)|cosmic inflation]] is the existence of an infinite [[ergodic hypothesis|ergodic]] universe, which, being infinite, must contain [[Hubble volume]]s realizing all initial conditions.

Accordingly, an infinite universe will contain an infinite number of Hubble volumes, all having the same [[physical law]]s and [[physical constant]]s. In regard to configurations such as the distribution of [[matter]], almost all will differ from our Hubble volume. However, because there are infinitely many, far beyond the [[cosmological horizon]], there will eventually be Hubble volumes with similar, and even identical, configurations. Tegmark estimates that an identical volume to ours should be about [[Double exponential function|10<sup>10<sup>115</sup></sup>]] meters away from us.<ref name="X0302131"/>

Given infinite space, there would be an infinite number of Hubble volumes identical to ours in the universe.<ref name="TegmarkPUstaple">"Parallel universes. Not just a staple of science fiction, other universes are a direct implication of cosmological observations.", Tegmark, Max, Scientific American. May 2003; 288 (5): 40–51.</ref> This follows directly from the [[cosmological principle]], wherein it is assumed that our Hubble volume is not special or unique.