Which term describes sporadic occurrences that stop and begin again?

The term that accurately describes sporadic occurrences that stop and begin again is "intermittent." This word specifically refers to something that occurs at irregular intervals; it is not steady or continuous. For example, rainfall that happens periodically, falling at different times but stopping and starting again, exemplifies intermittent behavior.

In contrast, "continuous" indicates a situation or condition that persists without interruption, which does not fit the nature of sporadic occurrences. "Consistent" suggests a uniform and reliable pattern or quality, and doesn't apply to situations that involve stops and starts. "Irregular" can imply a lack of predictability or accordance with a standard pattern, but it doesn’t specifically capture the essence of stopping and starting that is inherent in intermittent occurrences. Thus, "intermittent" is the most precise descriptor for such sporadic behavior.