Automorphisms of algebraic varieties and infinite transitivity

Abstract

This is a survey of recent results on multiple transitivity for automorphism groups of affine algebraic varieties. The property of infinite transitivity of the special automorphism group is treated, which is equivalent to the flexibility of the corresponding affine variety. These properties have important algebraic and geometric consequences. At the same time they are fulfilled for wide classes of varieties. Also, the situations are studied where infinite transitivity occurs for automorphism groups generated by finitely many one-parameter subgroups. In the appendices to the paper, the results on infinitely transitive actions in complex analysis and in combinatorial group theory are discussed.