Let Gr(k,n) be the Grassmannian of k-planes in C^n. The standard torus action on C^n induces a torus action on Gr(k,n), whose orbits encode interesting combinatorial and geometric invariants. I will describe an explicit degeneration of the “generic” torus orbit closure into a union of Richardson varieties (intersections of two Schubert varieties). This gives a new proof of a formula of Berget-Fink for the Chow class of this subvariety of X, and the technique has further (but not yet fully realized) applications in enumerative geometry. The method also works for the variety of full flags in C^n, giving a new proof of an earlier result of Anderson-Tymoczko. Via the toric moment map, the combinatorial shadow of this degeneration is a polyhedral decomposition of the permutohedron due to Harada-Horiguchi-Masuda-Park. Time-permitting, I will mention some ongoing work with Grace Chen extending this story to type B.
