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Avalanche models of active region heating and flaring

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Abstract

In a previous paper, we suggested that the twisting of coronal magnetic fiels by photospheric motions produces the steady heating of an active region, while braiding of these fields stores energy which is eventually released in an avalanche process, as sporadic large flares. We explore these ideas with numerical simulations. Our results indicate that the combined effect of twisting and braiding can account for the observed power input and the flare frequency spectrum of typical active regions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. National Solar Observatory, National Optical Astronomy Observatories, 88349, Sunspot, NM, USA

    Jack B. Zirker

  2. Energy and Control Consultants, 95126, San José, CA, USA

    F. M. Cleveland

Authors
  1. Jack B. Zirker
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  2. F. M. Cleveland
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Operated by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy, Inc. (AURA) under coooperative agreement with the National Science Foundation.

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Zirker, J.B., Cleveland, F.M. Avalanche models of active region heating and flaring. Sol Phys 145, 119–128 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00627988

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00627988

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