Terminal valuations and the Nash problem (Q2634620)

Let \(X\) be an algebraic variety over a field of characteristic 0, then \(\nu\) is a divisorial valuation over \(X\) if there exists \(Y\to X\) a resolution of singularities and \(E\subset Y\) a prime divisor such that \(\nu =\mathrm{ord}_E\). If the divisor \(E\) appears as an exceptional divisor for a minimal model of a resolution \(Y\) over \(X\) say \(Y_{\min}\to X\), then we say that the valuation \(\nu =\mathrm{ord}_E\) is terminal. According to Nash, a divisorial valuation \(\nu\) is essential if its center appears as an irreducible component of the singular locus of \(X\) on any resolution \(Y\to X\). Finally, Nash valuations are divisorial valuations associated to any maximal irreducible family of arcs through the singular locus of \(X\). The Nash problem asks for a geometric characterization of Nash valuations. It is known that every Nash valuation is essential, but in dimension \(\geq 3\) there are essential valuations that are not Nash valuations. In this paper, the authors complement this picture by showing that all terminal valuations are Nash valuations (but there are Nash valuations that are not terminal valuations).