Subsurface Flows Associated with Formation and Flaring Activity of Solar Active Regions (2401.17598v1)

Abstract: We investigate the evolution of subsurface flows during the emergence and the active phase of sunspot regions using the time-distance helioseismology analysis of the full-disk Dopplergrams from the Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager (HMI) onboard the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO). We present an analysis of emerging active regions of various types, including delta-type active regions and regions with the reverse polarity order (`anti-Hale active regions'). The results reveal strong vortical and shearing flows during the emergence of magnetic flux, as well as the process of formation of large-scale converging flow patterns around developing active regions, predominantly in the top 6 Mm deep layers of the convection zone. Our analysis revealed a significant correlation between the flow divergence and helicity in the active regions with their flaring activity, indicating that measuring characteristics of subsurface flows can contribute to flare forecasting.