Relationships of a growing magnetic flux region to flares

The evolution of flare sites at the boundaries of major new and growing magnetic flux regions within complexes of active regions has been analyzed using H-alpha images. A spectrum of possible relationships of growing flux regions to flares is described. An intimate interaction between old and new flux and flare sites occurs at the boundaries of their regions. Forced or intimidated interaction involves new flux pushing older, lower flux density fields toward a neighboring old polarity inversion line, followed by the occurrence of a flare. In influential interaction, magnetic lines of force over an old polarity inversion line reconnect to new emerging flux, and a flare occurs when the magnetic field overlying the filament becomes too weak to prevent its eruption. Inconsequential interaction occurs when a new flux region is too small or has the wrong orientation for creating flare conditions. Incidental interaction involves a flare occurring without any significant relationship to new flux regions. 12 references