I Quantum Tunneling: Can it Cause Stable Systems To Transition?

[Trollfaz]

I have noticed that quantum tunneling can cause unstable systems to suddenly transit to a stable state without going through its energy barrier. Can quantum tunneling cause stable systems, with as low energy as possible, to transit to other states?

 

[LeandroMdO]

I have noticed that quantum tunneling can cause unstable systems to suddenly transit to a stable state without going through its energy barrier. Can quantum tunneling cause stable systems, with as low energy as possible, to transit to other states?

Only if these other states also have the smallest energy possible, or if the tunneling was "assisted" in some way (e.g. https://arxiv.org/abs/0807.0754 ).