Projective degenerations of K3 surfaces,Gaussian maps,and Fano threefolds

Summary In this article we exhibit certain projective degenerations of smoothK3 surfaces of degree 2g–2 in ^g (whose Picard group is generated by the hyperplane class), to a union of two rational normal scrolls, and also to a union of planes. As a consequence we prove that the general hyperplane section of suchK3 surfaces has a corank one Gaussian map, ifg=11 org13. We also prove that the general such hyperplane section lies on a uniqueK3 surface, up to projectivities. Finally we present a new approach to the classification of prime Fano threefolds of index one, which does not rely on the existence of a line.Oblatum 1-II-1993 & 24-V-1993Research supported in part by NSF grant DMS-9104058