On the asymptotic behavior of complex earthquakes and Teichm\"{u}ller disks

Abstract

Given a hyperbolic surface and a simple closed geodesic on it, complex-twists along the curve produce a holomorphic family of deformations in Teichm\"{u}ller space, degenerating to the Riemann surface where it is pinched. We show there is a corresponding Teichm\"{u}ller disk such that the two are strongly asymptotic, in the Teichm\"{u}ller metric, around the noded Riemann surface. We establish a similar comparison with plumbing deformations that open the node.