Analysis of large-scale horizontal velocities and the magnetic field on the sun during fast reorganization periods

The velocity field of large-scale magnetic structures during fast reorganizations of the global solar magnetic field structure has been analyzed. Some characteristic features of the velocity field have been found during these periods. At that time, a considerable part of the solar surface is occupied by regions with low horizontal velocities, which correspond to the regions of positive and negative velocity field divergence during the solar activity growth and decline phases, respectively. Such character of changes in the velocity field during these periods agrees with the previously proposed scenario of magnetic field variations during global reorganizations of the magnetic field structure. The average horizontal velocities during a Carrington rotation and their divergence have been calculated for Carrington rotations from 1646 to 2006. Relatively slow regular variations in these parameters as well as their abrupt changes, observed during different solar cycle phases, have been revealed. An increase in the average horizontal velocity during the solar activity growth phase is most probably caused by relative motions of the regions with a new emerging magnetic flux. We assume that abrupt increases in the average horizontal velocity divergence are related to fast reorganizations of the magnetic field structure.