(a) Selected slices of the relaxed state of the three-dimensional magnetic flux tube embedded in a stratified atmosphere. Panels (b) and (c) show the temporal evolution of the tube cross section at z = 10 Mm and z = 20 Mm, respectively, at the indicated times. An animated version of this figure is available. The animation shows the continuous evolution of the tube cross sections from t = 0 to 1742 s, with the simulation time indicated in each frame. Whereas the static panels show selected snapshots, the animation illustrates the progressive deformation of the tube boundary and the development of small-scale KH vortices.

(An animation of this figure is available in the online article.)

(An animation of this figure is available.)

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