Nonlocal diffusion of smooth sets

We consider normal velocity of smooth sets evolving by the s-fractional diffusion. We prove that for small time, the normal velocity of such sets is nearly proportional to the mean curvature of the boundary of the initial set for s [member of] [1/2, 1) while, for s [member of] (0, 1/2), it is nearly proportional to the fractional mean curvature of the initial set. Our results show that the motion by (fractional) mean curvature flow can be approximated by fractional heat diffusion and by a diffusion by means of harmonic extension of smooth sets. Keywords: motion by fractional mean curvature flow; fractional heat equation; fractional mean curvature; harmonic extension