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For smooth localized compatible wave map Cauchy data and compact Riemannian target, one-dimensional wave maps stay smooth globally. In null coordinates, the equation is $D_v{\varphi }_u=D_u{\varphi }_v=0$. Compatibility of the target metric with the covariant derivative makes $|{\varphi }_u{|}^2$ independent of $v$ and $|{\varphi }_v{|}^2$ independent of $u$. These transported derivative bounds and higher energy estimates prevent finite-time breakdown.

Compatible Cauchy data for a wave map are ${\varphi }_0:{\mathbb{R}}^n\to S^2$ and ${\varphi }_1(x)\in T_{{\varphi }_0(x)}{S}^2$: thus $|{\varphi }_0|=1$ and ${\varphi }_0\cdot {\varphi }_1=0$. Smooth localized wave map Cauchy data equal a constant $p\in S^2$ with zero velocity outside a compact set. It is ${\varphi }_0-p$, rather than the sphere-valued map itself, that has compact support. The geometric constraints propagate under the wave map equation.

Smooth compatible wave map Cauchy data give a unique local smooth wave map. Relative to a constant map, Sobolev spaces $H^s\times H^{s-1}$ with $s>n/2+1$ provide a classical local theory. Iteration for the semilinear wave equation, Sobolev algebra and energy estimates give existence, uniqueness and continuous dependence. The smooth continuation criterion for semilinear wave equations extends the solution while these norms stay bounded. The sphere constraint and tangency constraint remain satisfied.

A wave map is a harmonic map with Lorentzian domain: a critical point of the action obtained by contracting the pullback target metric with the domain Lorentzian metric. For target sphere $S^2$ in Euclidean space and $\square =-{\partial }_t^2+\Delta$, its extrinsic equation is $\square \varphi =\varphi (|{\varphi }_t{|}^2-|\nabla \varphi {|}^2)$, subject to $|\varphi |=1$. The derivative contractions are null forms for wave equations. Wave map Cauchy data must include a tangent initial velocity.