Subsurface origin of merging and fragmentation in AR10930

The aim of this study is to demonstrate the subsurface origin of the complex observed evolution of the solar active region 10930 (AR10930) associated with merging and breakup of magnetic polarity regions at the solar surface. This is important for a comprehensive understanding of observed properties of the active region, because subsurface magnetic flux and subsurface dynamical processes are seamlessly connected to surface magnetic flux and surface dynamical processes, respectively. In other words, the solar surface does not behave as an impermeable boundary towards magnetic flux and dynamical processes. In this talk, we show a magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) model of merging and fragmentation in AR10930. We then discuss what physical processes could be involved in the characteristic evolution of an active region magnetic field that leads to the formation of a sunspot surrounded by satellite polarity regions.