Pump cavitation occurs when liquid pressure drops below its vapor pressure at the pump suction, causing vapor bubbles to form and then collapse violently as they move into higher-pressure regions of the impeller. This phenomenon produces characteristic noise, vibration, and progressive erosion damage to impeller surfaces that degrades pump performance and shortens equipment life. Prevention requires maintaining adequate Net Positive Suction Head (NPSH) margin through proper system design, suction piping configuration, and operating practices.