Perestroikas of vertex sets at umbilic points (Q1035291)

Consider a smooth surface \(M\) and a generic umbilic point \textbf{p}\( \in M\). Intersecting \(M\) with planes parallel to the tangent plane at \textbf{p} yields a one-parameter set of curves. The collection of vertices of these curves is called the vertex set through \textbf{p}. The authors study the evolution of the vertex set under generic \(n\)-parameter deformations of \(M\). One of the main results states that, in a certain sense, the study of the discriminants of \(n\)-parameter deformations reduces to that of \(2\)-parameter transformations. The vertex set of the unperturbed surface consists of three smooth transverse branches through \textbf{p}. After a small perturbation the vertex set consist of three branches, two of them transverse in a point close to \textbf{p} and disjoint to the third. The evolution of the vertex set under one-parameter deformations of \(M\) is studied as well. All results are illustrated by instructive figures.