Solar flare statistics with a one-dimensional MHD model

The dynamics of dissipative events in coronal loops is modeled with the compressible MHD equations in one space dimension in slab geometry, with a forcing that mimics the footpoint motions. Using a set of numerical simulations, the statistics of strong velocity and magnetic field gradients that develop, leading to a bursty dissipation, are analyzed. Agreement with existing observations of X-ray solar flares obtains concerning the power-law distribution of the luminosity histogram, including when the dynamics are simplified to that of the Burgers equation; in that latter case, this allows for recasting the analysis in terms of avalanche-type models.