3D Velocity Flows in Flare Productive and Dormant Active Regions

During Solar Cycle 23, some active regions(ARs) produced extremely energetic flares and CMEs. These ARs are expected to be characteristically distinct as compared to dormant ARs and quiet regions (QRs). It would be interesting to identify whether the internal structure and dynamics of the ARs is related to their flaring/CME activity levels. For this investigation, we have obtained sub-surface velocity flows in several ARs and QRs using the ring diagram technique, and then derived the corresponding vorticity vector and kinetic helicity density.