Evolution of coronal loops for different initial conditions. Left panel: the μ > 0 regime corresponds to Poincaré limit cycle; coronal loops with the initial current amplitude higher than critical value, I ₀/ I _cr > 2, quickly approach the quasi-stable state impulsively releasing the excess of energy. Loops with the initial current amplitude I ₀/ I _cr < 2 gradually gain energy. Right panel: at μ < 0 loops with the initial current amplitude, I ₀/ I _cr > 2, show the explosive growth of currents; higher are the initial currents, shorter is the "explosive" time (major flare). Loops with the initial current I ₀/ I _cr < 2 are in a gradually decaying state (after Ryutova 2006). Inset shows stabilization of explosive phase and formation of long-living self-organized state characterized by μ 0 (cf. GOES X-ray plot in Figure  10).