Magnetic reconnection (IMAGE) Dartmouth College Caption Magnetic reconnection occurs when magnetic field lines of opposite directions merge, rejoin, and snap apart, releasing massive amounts of energy to heat plasmas and drive high-speed outflows. Credit Yi-Hsin Liu/Dartmouth College Usage Restrictions CREDIT: Yi-Hsin Liu/Dartmouth College License Original content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.