Singularities of Solutions to Cauchy Problems for Semilinear Wave Equations in Two Space Dimensions

This paper concerns the Cauchy problem for semilinear wave equations with two space variables, of which the initial data have conormal singularities on finite curves intersecting at one point on the initial plane. It is proved that the solution is of conormal distribution type, and its singularities are contained in the union of the characteristic surfaces through these curves and the characteristic cone issuing from the intersection point.