Collision of emerging flux tubes at the photosphere as a result of the sequential emergence process (AR 12017). (a) Multiple-day polarity tracking (background magnetogram at 2014 March 30 02:59:46 UT). Flaring activity occurs at the location of the new bipole N2 P2 emerging right by the preexisting polarity N1. Each big square was also a CME. (b) 3D view of the collision for AR 12017. The view is from the northwest looking toward the southeast. An animation of panel (b) as a 3D flyby is available. The video duration is 7 s.

(An animation of this figure is available.)

The video/animation of this figure is available in the online journal.