| We show that the map associating to a smooth cubic threefold its intermediate Jacobian extends to a morphism from the wonderful compactification of the moduli space of cubic threefolds to a toroidal compactification of the moduli of abelian fivefolds. In this talk we will focus on using this to describe geometrically various degenerations of cubic threefolds and intermediate Jacobians. Based on joint work with S. Casalaina-Martin, K. Hulek, and R. Laza. |