Classification of the blow-up behavior for a semilinear wave equation with nonconstant degenerate coefficients

Abstract

We consider a nonlinear wave equation with nonconstant coefficients. In particular, the coefficient in front of the second order space derivative is degenerate. We give the blow-up behavior and the regularity of the blow-up set. Partial results are given at the origin, where the degeneracy occurs. Some nontrivial obstacles, due to the nonconstant speed of propagation, have to be surmounted.