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We investigate the behaviour of nonlinear, nonideal Alfv\'en wave propagation within an inhomogeneous magnetic environment. The governing MHD equations are solved in 1D and 2D using both analytical techniques and numerical simulations. We find clear evidence for the ponderomotive effect and visco-resistive heating. The ponderomotive effect generates a longitudinal component to the transverse Alfv\'en wave, with a frequency twice that of the driving frequency. Analytical work shows the addition of resistive heating. This leads to a substantial increase in the local temperature and thus gas pressure of the plasma, resulting in material being pushed along the magnetic field. In 2D, our system exhibits phase mixing and we observe an evolution in the location of the maximum heating, i.e. we find a drifting of the heating layer. Considering Alfv\'en wave propagation in 2D with an inhomogeneous density gradient, we find that the equilibrium density profile is significantly modified by both the flow of density due to visco-resistive heating and the nonlinear response to the localised heating through phase mixing., Comment: 16 pages, 17 figures

Spectroscopic and stereoscopic imaging observations of slow magnetoacoustic wave propagation within a coronal loop are investigated to determine the decay length scale of the slow magnetoacoustic mode in three dimensions and the density profile within the loop system. The slow wave is found to have an e-folding decay length scale of $20,000^{+4000}_{-3000}$km with a uniform density profile along the loop base. These observations place quantitive constraints on the modelling of wave propagation within coronal loops. Theoretical forward modelling suggests that magnetic field line divergence is the dominant damping factor and thermal conduction is insufficient, given the observed parameters of the coronal loop temperature, density and wave mode period., Comment: Accepted for publication in ApJ

We present a comprehensive review of MHD wave behaviour in the neighbourhood of coronal null points: locations where the magnetic field, and hence the local Alfven speed, is zero. The behaviour of all three MHD wave modes, i.e. the Alfven wave and the fast and slow magnetoacoustic waves, has been investigated in the neighbourhood of 2D, 2.5D and (to a certain extent) 3D magnetic null points, for a variety of assumptions, configurations and geometries. In general, it is found that the fast magnetoacoustic wave behaviour is dictated by the Alfven-speed profile. In a $\beta=0$ plasma, the fast wave is focused towards the null point by a refraction effect and all the wave energy, and thus current density, accumulates close to the null point. Thus, null points will be locations for preferential heating by fast waves. Independently, the Alfven wave is found to propagate along magnetic fieldlines and is confined to the fieldlines it is generated on. As the wave approaches the null point, it spreads out due to the diverging fieldlines. Eventually, the Alfven wave accumulates along the separatrices (in 2D) or along the spine or fan-plane (in 3D). Hence, Alfven wave energy will be preferentially dissipated at these locations. It is clear that the magnetic field plays a fundamental role in the propagation and properties of MHD waves in the neighbourhood of coronal null points. This topic is a fundamental plasma process and results so far have also lead to critical insights into reconnection, mode-coupling, quasi-periodic pulsations and phase-mixing., Comment: 34 pages, 5 figures, invited review in Space Science Reviews => Note this is a 2011 paper, not a 2010 paper

Aims: The effect of changing the attack angle for the interaction of a fast MHD wave with a 3D coronal loop is studied, to investigate to what extent the properties of the excited transverse kink mode oscillations of the loop depend on this angle. \ud \ud Methods: 3D numerical simulations are performed of the interaction of a fast MHD wave, generated by a pressure pulse, with a 3D coronal loop. The loop itself is modelled as a density enhancement (with a finite plasma beta) within a magnetic arcade. The initial pressure pulse has a width comparable to the loop diameter and is situated outside of the loop, at the same height as the loop apex. This height is kept fixed but the (horizontal) angle between the pressure pulse and the loop is varied. \ud \ud Results: We find that the global, transverse kink mode is efficiently excited for a range of attack angles and qualitatively in agreement with theoretical expectations. The period and damping time are found to be independent of the attack angle. For larger values of the attack angle, the global (longitudinal) slow wave is excited, whereas for intermediate values the second harmonic kink mode is also present.

This paper extends the models of Craig & McClymont (1991) and McLaughlin & Hood (2004) to include finite $��$ and nonlinear effects. We investigate the nature of nonlinear fast magnetoacoustic waves about a 2D magnetic X-point. We solve the compressible and resistive MHD equations using a Lagrangian remap, shock capturing code (Arber et al. 2001) and consider an initial condition in $ {\bf{v}}\times{\bf{B}} \cdot {\hat{\bf{z}}}$ (a natural variable of the system). We observe the formation of both fast and slow oblique magnetic shocks. The nonlinear wave deforms the X-point into a 'cusp-like' point which in turn collapses to a current sheet. The system then evolves through a series of horizontal and vertical current sheets, with associated changes in connectivity, i.e. the system exhibits oscillatory reconnection. Our final state is non-potential (but in force balance) due to asymmetric heating from the shocks. Larger amplitudes in our initial condition correspond to larger values of the final current density left in the system. The inclusion of nonlinear terms introduces several new features to the system that were absent from the linear regime., 14 pages, 16 figures

As waves and oscillations carry both energy and information, they have enormous potential as a plasma heating mechanism and, through seismology, to provide estimates of local plasma properties which are hard to obtain from direct measurements. Being sufficiently near to allow high-resolution observations, the atmosphere of the Sun forms a natural plasma laboratory. Recent observations have revealed that an abundance of waves and oscillations is present in the solar atmosphere, leading to a renewed interest in wave heating mechanisms. This short review paper gives an overview of recently observed transverse, propagating velocity perturbations in coronal loops. These ubiquitous perturbations are observed to undergo strong damping as they propagate. Using 3D numerical simulations of footpoint-driven transverse waves propagating in a coronal plasma with a cylindrical density structure, in combination with analytical modelling, it is demonstrated that the observed velocity perturbations can be understood in terms of coupling of different wave modes in the inhomogeneous boundaries of the loops. Mode coupling in the inhomogeneous boundary layers of the loops leads to the coupling of the transversal (kink) mode to the azimuthal (Alfven) mode, observed as the decay of the transverse kink oscillations. Both the numerical and analytical results show the spatial profile of the damped wave has a Gaussian shape to begin with, before switching to exponential decay at large heights. In addition, recent analysis of CoMP (Coronal Multi-channel Polarimeter) Doppler shift observations of large, off-limb, trans-equatorial loops shows that Fourier power at the apex appears to be higher in the high-frequency part of the spectrum than expected from theoretical models. This excess high-frequency FFT power could be tentative evidence for the onset of a cascade of the low-to-mid frequency waves into (Alfvenic) turbulence.

D.J.P. acknowledges financial support from STFC. I.D.M. acknowledges support of a Royal Society University Research Fellowship. The research leading to these results has also received funding from the European Commission Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/ 2007−2013) under the grant agreement SOLSPANET (project No. 269299, www.solspanet.eu/solspanet). Context. Observations such as those by the Coronal Multi-Channel Polarimeter (CoMP) have revealed that broadband kink oscillations are ubiquitous in the solar corona. Aims. We consider footpoint-driven kink waves propagating in a low β coronal plasma with a cylindrical density structure. We investigate the excitation and damping of propagating kink waves by a broadband driver, including the effects of different spatial profiles for the driver. Methods. We employ a general spatial damping profile in which the initial stage of the damping envelope is approximated by a Gaussian profile and the asymptotic state by an exponential one. We develop a method of accounting for the presence of these different damping regimes and test it using data from numerical simulations. Results. Strongly damped oscillations in low density coronal loops are more accurately described by a Gaussian spatial damping profile than an exponential profile. The consequences for coronal seismology are investigated and applied to observational data for the ubiquitous broadband waves observed by CoMP. Current data cannot distinguish between the exponential and Gaussian profiles because of the levels of noise. We demonstrate the importance of the spatial profile of the driver on the resulting damping profile. Furthermore, we show that a small-scale turbulent driver is inefficient at exciting propagating kink waves Publisher PDF

High cadence Transition Region and Coronal Explorer (TRACE) observations show that outward propagating intensity disturbances are a common feature in large, quiescent coronal loops, close to active regions. An overview is given of measured parameters of such longitudinal oscillations in coronal loops. The observed oscillations are interpreted as propagating slow magnetoacoustic waves and are unlikely to be flare-driven. A strong correlation, between the loop position and the periodicity of the oscillations, provides evidence that the underlying oscillations can propagate through the transition region and into the corona. Both a one- and a two-dimensional theoretical model of slow magnetoacoustic waves are presented to explain the very short observed damping lengths. The results of these numerical simulations are compared with the TRACE observations and show that a combination of the area divergence and thermal conduction agrees well with the observed amplitude decay. Additionally, the usefulness of wavelet analysis is discussed, showing that care has to be taken when interpreting the results of wavelet analysis, and a good knowledge of all possible factors that might influence or distort the results is a necessity.

We use a combination of analytical theory, numerical simulation, and data analysis to study the propagation of acoustic waves along coronal loops. We show that the intensity perturbation of a wave depends on a number of factors, including dissipation of the wave energy, pressure and temperature gradients in the loop atmosphere, work action between the wave and a flow, and the sensitivity properties of the observing instrument. In particular, the scale length of the intensity perturbation varies directly with the dissipation scale length (i.e., damping length) and the scale lengths of pressure, temperature, and velocity. We simulate wave propagation in three different equilibrium loop models and find that dissipation and pressure and temperature stratification are the most important effects in the low corona where the waves are most easily detected. Velocity effects are small, and cross-sectional area variations play no direct role for lines-of-sight that are normal to the loop axis. The intensity perturbation scale lengths in our simulations agree very well with the scale lengths we measure in a sample of loops observed by TRACE. The median observed value is 4.35x10^9 cm. In some cases the intensity perturbation increases with height, which is likely an indication of a temperature inversion in the loop (i.e., temperature that decreases with height). Our most important conclusion is that thermal conduction, the primary damping mechanism, is accurately described by classical transport theory. There is no need to invoke anomalous processes to explain the observations., Comment: To appear in the Dec. 1, 2004 issue of the Astrophysical Journal

I.D.M. acknowledges support from a Royal Society University Research Fellowship. The computational work for this paper was carried out at the joint STFC and SFC (SRIF)-fundedclusterattheUniversityofStAndrews(UK). The research leading to these results has also received funding from the European Commissions Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013) under the grant agreement SOLSPANET (project No. 269299;www.solspanet.eu/solspanet). So far, the straight flux tube model proposed by Edwin & Roberts is the most commonly used tool in practical coronal seismology, in particular, to infer values of the (coronal) magnetic field from observed, standing kink mode oscillations. In this paper, we compare the period predicted by this basic model with three-dimensional (3D) numerical simulations of standing kink mode oscillations, as the period is a crucial parameter in the seismological inversion to determine the magnetic field. We perform numerical simulations of standing kink modes in both straight and curved 3D coronal loops and consider excitation by internal and external drivers. The period of oscillation for the displacement of dense coronal loops is determined by the loop length and the kink speed, in agreement with the estimate based on analytical theory for straight flux tubes. For curved coronal loops embedded in a magnetic arcade and excited by an external driver, a secondary mode with a period determined by the loop length and external Alfvén speed is also present. When a low number of oscillations is considered, these two periods can result in a single, non-resolved (broad) peak in the power spectrum, particularly for low values of the density contrast for which the two periods will be relatively similar. In that case (and for this particular geometry), the presence of this additional mode would lead to ambiguous seismological estimates of the magnetic field strength. Publisher PDF

High cadence TRACE data (JOP 83) in the 171 A bandpass are used to report on several examples of outward propagating oscillations in the footpoints of large diffuse coronal loop structures close to active regions. The disturbances travel outward with a propagation speed between 70 and 160 km s−1. The variations in intensity are of the order of 2%–4%, compared to the background brightness and these get weaker as the disturbance propagates along the structure. From a wavelet analysis at different positions along the structures, periods in the 200–400 seconds range are found. It is suggested that these oscillations are slow magneto-acoustic waves propagating along the loop, carrying an estimated energy flux of 4×102 ergs cm−2 s−1.

Phase mixing was introduced by Heyvaerts and Priest [1] as a mechanism for heating plasma in open magnetic field regions. Here we include a stratified density and a diverging background magnetic field. We present numerical and WKB solutions to describe the effect of stratification and divergence on phase mixing of Alfven waves. It is shown that the decrease in density lengthens the oscillation wavelengths and thereby reduces the generation of transverse gradients. However, the divergence of the field lines shortens the wavelengths and thus enhances the generation of gradients. Furthermore we found that in a stratified atmosphere, ohmic heating is spread out over a greater height range whereas viscous heating is not strongly influenced by the stratification. A wavelet analysis indicated that the wavelet transform could provide us with information about the medium the waves are traveling through.

This study investigates Coronal Multi-channel Polarimeter Doppler-shift observations of a large, off-limb, trans-equatorial loop system observed on 2012 April 10-11. Doppler-shift oscillations with a broad range of frequencies are found to propagate along the loop with a speed of about 500 km s–1. The power spectrum of perturbations travelling up from both loop footpoints is remarkably symmetric, probably due to the almost perfect north-south alignment of the loop system. Compared to the power spectrum at the footpoints of the loop, the Fourier power at the apex appears to be higher in the high-frequency part of the spectrum than expected from theoretical models. We suggest this excess high-frequency power could be tentative evidence for the onset of a cascade of the low-to-mid frequency waves into (Alfvénic) turbulence. Publisher PDF

Waves have long been thought to contribute to the heating of the solar corona and the generation of the solar wind. Recent observations have demonstrated evidence of quasi-periodic longitudinal disturbances and ubiquitous transverse wave propagation in many different coronal environments. This paper investigates signatures of different types of oscillatory behaviour, both above the solar limb and on-disk, by comparing findings from the Coronal Multi-channel Polarimeter (CoMP) and the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA) on board the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) for the same active region. We study both transverse and longitudinal motion by comparing and contrasting time-distance images of parallel and perpendicular cuts along/across active region fan loops. Comparisons between parallel space-time features in CoMP Doppler velocity and transverse oscillations in AIA images are made, together with space-time analysis of propagating quasi-periodic intensity features seen near the base of loops in AIA. Signatures of transverse motions are observed along the same magnetic structure using CoMP Doppler velocity (Vphase=600-750km/s, P=3-6mins) and in AIA/SDO above the limb (P=3-8mins). Quasi-periodic intensity features (Vphase=100-200km/s, P=6-11mins) also travel along the base of the same structure. On the disk, signatures of both transverse and longitudinal intensity features were observed by AIA; both show similar properties to signatures found along structures anchored in the same active region three days earlier above the limb. Correlated features are recovered by space-time analysis of neighbouring tracks over perpendicular distances of, 14 pages, 14 figures, 1 table

Aims. To investigate the spatial damping of propagating kink waves in an inhomogeneous plasma. In the limit of a thin tube surrounded by a thin transition layer, an analytical formulation for kink waves driven in from the bottom boundary of the corona is presented. Methods. The spatial form for the damping of the kink mode was investigated using various analytical approximations. When the density ratio between the internal density and the external density is not too large, a simple di.erential-integral equation was used. Approximate analytical solutions to this equation are presented. Results. For the first time, the form of the spatial damping of the kink mode is shown analytically to be Gaussian in nature near the driven boundary. For several wavelengths, the amplitude of the kink mode is proportional to (1 + exp(-z2 /L2 g))/2, where L2g = 16/ǫκ2 k2 . Although the actual value of 16 in Lg depends on the particular form of the driver, this form is very general and its dependence on the other parameters does not change. For large distances, the damping profile appears to be roughly linear exponential decay. This is shown analytically by a series expansion when the inhomogeneous layer width is small enough. Publisher PDF

The highly dynamical, complex nature of the solar atmosphere naturally implies the presence of waves in a topologically varied magnetic environment. Here, the interaction of waves with topological features such as null points is inevitable and potentially important for energetics. The low resistivity of the solar coronal plasma implies that non-MHD effects should be considered in studies of magnetic energy release in this environment. This paper investigates the role of the Hall term in the propagation and dissipation of waves, their interaction with 2D magnetic X-points and the nature of the resulting reconnection. A Lagrangian remap shock-capturing code (Lare2d) is used to study the evolution of an initial fast magnetoacoustic wave annulus for a range of values of the ion skin depth in resistive Hall MHD. A magnetic null-point finding algorithm is also used to locate and track the evolution of the multiple null-points that are formed in the system. Depending on the ratio of ion skin depth to system size, our model demonstrates that Hall effects can play a key role in the wave-null interaction. In particular, the initial fast-wave pulse now consists of whistler and ion-cyclotron components; the dispersive nature of the whistler wave leads to (i) earlier interaction with the null, (ii) the creation of multiple additional, transient nulls and, hence, an increased number of energy release sites. In the Hall regime, the relevant timescales (such as the onset of reconnection and the period of the oscillatory relaxation) of the system are reduced significantly, and the reconnection rate is enhanced., 13 pages, 10 figures

Aims. We investigate the damping process for propagating transverse velocity oscillations, observed to be ubiquitous in the solar corona, due to mode coupling. Methods. We perform 3D numerical simulations of footpoint-driven transverse waves propagating in a low β coronal plasma with a cylindrical density structure. Mode coupling in an inhomogeneous layer leads to the coupling of the kink mode to the Alfven mode, observed as the decay of the transverse kink oscillations. Results. We consider the spatial damping profile and find a Gaussian damping profile of the form exp(−z/Lg) to be the most congruent with our numerical data, rather than the exponential damping profile of the form exp(−z/Ld) used in normal mode analysis. Our results highlight that the nature of the driver itself will have a substantial influence on observed propagating kink waves. Conclusions. Our study suggests that this modified damping profile should be taken into account when using coronal seismology to infer local plasma properties from observed damped oscillations.

Observations have shown that transverse oscillations are present in a multitude of coronal structures. It is generally assumed that these oscillations are driven by (sub)surface footpoint motions. Using fully three-dimensional MHD simulations, we show that these footpoint perturbations generate propagating kink (Alfv´ enic) modes which couple very efficiently into (azimuthal) Alfv´ en waves. Using an ensemble of randomly distributed loops, driven by footpoint motions with random periods and directions, we compare the absolute energy in the numerical domain with the energy that is “visible” when integrating along the line of sight (LOS). We show that the kinetic energy derived from the LOS Doppler velocities is only a small fraction of the actual energy provided by the footpoint motions. Additionally, the superposition of loop structures along the LOS makes it nearly impossible to identify which structure the observed oscillations are actually associated with and could impact the identification of the mode of oscillation.

D.J.P. acknowledges financial support from STFC. I.D.M. acknowledges support of a Royal Society University Research Fellowship. Observations have revealed ubiquitous transverse velocity perturbation waves propagating in the solar corona. We perform three-dimensional numerical simulations of footpoint-driven transverse waves propagating in a low β plasma. We consider the cases of distorted cylindrical flux tubes and a randomly generated inhomogeneous medium. When density structuring is present, mode coupling in inhomogeneous regions leads to the coupling of the kink mode to the Alfvén mode. The decay of the propagating kink wave is observed as energy is transferred to the local Alfvén mode. In all cases considered, modest changes in density were capable of efficiently converting energy from the driving footpoint motion to localized Alfv´en modes. We have demonstrated that mode coupling efficiently couples propagating kink perturbations to Alfvén modes in an arbitrary inhomogeneous medium. This has the consequence that transverse footpoint motions at the base of the corona will deposit energy to Alfvén modes in the corona. Publisher PDF

Aims. We determine the effect of the Hall term in the generalised Ohm's law on the damping and phase mixing of Alfven waves in the ion cyclotron range of frequencies in uniform and non-uniform equilibrium plasmas. Methods. Wave damping in a uniform plasma is treated analytically, whilst a Lagrangian remap code (Lare2d) is used to study Hall effects on damping and phase mixing in the presence of an equilibrium density gradient. Results. The magnetic energy associated with an initially Gaussian field perturbation in a uniform resistive plasma is shown to decay algebraically at a rate that is unaffected by the Hall term to leading order in k(2)delta(2)(i) where k is wavenumber and delta(i) is ion skin depth. A similar algebraic decay law applies to whistler perturbations in the limit k(2)delta(2)(i) >> 1. In a non-uniform plasma it is found that the spatially-integrated damping rate due to phase mixing is lower in Hall MHD than it is in MHD, but the reduction in the damping rate, which can be attributed to the effects of wave dispersion, tends to zero in both the weak and strong phase mixing limits. Publisher PDF

We present the results of numerical simulations of 3D magnetic reconnection driven by photospheric footpoint motions. The model consists of two positive and two negative sources, which are placed on opposite boundaries of the cubic domain. Two different types of photospheric motions are then considered, namely rotating and twisting of the sources. These different footpoint motions result in a difference in the evolution of the magnetic skeleton and the location and efficiency of the energy build up. Both the dynamical evolution and the corresponding potential evolution of each system is investigated and a comparison is made between the energy storage and release that occurs at separators and separatrix surfaces.

Aims. We investigate the synthetic observational signatures from numerical models of coronal heating in an arcade to determine what features are associated with such heating, and what tools can be used to identify them. Methods. We consider two simulations of coronal arcades driven by footpoint motions with different characteristic timescales. Forward modelling is then used, and the synthetic emission data is analysed. Results. The total intensity and Doppler velocities clearly show the magnetic structure of the coronal arcade. Contrasts in the local Doppler shift also highlight the locations of separatrix surfaces. The distinguishing feature of the AC and DC models is that of the frequencies. Through FFT analysis of the Doppler velocities, when short timescale footpoint motions are present, higher frequencies are observed. For longer timescale motions, the dominant signal is that of lower frequencies; however, higher frequencies were also detected, which matched the natural Alfv\'en frequency of the background magnetic field. Alfv\'enic wave signatures were identified in both models with fast wave signatures observable in the AC model. Finally, the estimates of the kinetic energy using the Doppler shifts were found to significantly underestimate within these models. Conclusions. Observables identified within this article were from features such as Alfv\'en waves, fast waves, the arcade structure and separatrix surfaces. The two models were differentiated by examining the frequencies present. The Doppler velocities cannot provide accurate estimates of the total kinetic energy or the component parallel to the LOS. This is due to some plasma outside the formation temperature range of the ion, the multi-directional driver, and cancellation of the velocity along the LOS. The impact each factor has on the estimation is dependent on the set up of the model and the chosen emission line., Comment: 15 pages and 18 figures

Funding: This research has received funding from the UK Science and Technology Facilities Council (Consolidated Grant ST/K000950/1) and the European Union Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme (grant agreement No. 647214). P.A. acknowledges funding from his STFC Ernest Rutherford Fellowship (No. ST/R004285/1). This research was supported by the Research Council of Norway through its Centres of Excellence scheme, project number 262622. Context. Magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) waves are ubiquitous in the solar corona where the highly structured magnetic fields provide efficient wave guides for their propagation. While MHD waves have been observed originating from lower layers of the solar atmosphere, recent studies have shown that some can be generated in situ by the collision of dense counter-propagating flows. Aims. In this theoretical study, we analyse the mechanism that triggers the propagation of kink and sausage modes in the solar corona following the collision of counter-propagating flows, and how the properties of the flows affect the properties of the generated waves. Methods. To study in detail this mechanism we ran a series of ideal 2D and 3D MHD simulations where we varied the properties of the counter-propagating flows; by means of a simple technique to estimate the amplitudes of the kink and sausage modes, we investigated their role in the generation and propagation of the MHD waves. Results. We find that the amplitude of the waves is largely dependent on the kinetic energy of the flows, and that the onset of kink or sausage modes depends on the asymmetries between the colliding blobs. Moreover, the initial wavelength of the MHD waves is associated with the magnetic configuration resulting from the collision of the flows. We also find that genuine 3D systems respond with smaller wave amplitudes. Conclusions. In this study, we present a parameter space description of the mechanism that leads to the generation of MHD waves from the collision of flows in the corona. Future observations of these waves can be used to understand the properties of the plasma and magnetic field of the solar corona. Postprint

Spicules have been proposed as significant contributors to the mass and energy balance of the corona. While previous observations have provided a glimpse of short-lived transient brightenings in the corona that are associated with spicules, these observations have been contested and are the subject of a vigorous debate both on the modeling and the observational side. Therefore, it remains unclear whether plasma is heated to coronal temperatures in association with spicules. We use high-resolution observations of the chromosphere and transition region with the Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph (IRIS) and of the corona with the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA) onboard the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) to show evidence of the formation of coronal structures associated with spicular mass ejections and heating of plasma to transition region and coronal temperatures. Our observations suggest that a significant fraction of the highly dynamic loop fan environment associated with plage regions may be the result of the formation of such new coronal strands, a process that previously had been interpreted as the propagation of transient propagating coronal disturbances (PCD)s. Our observations are supported by 2.5D radiative MHD simulations that show heating to coronal temperatures in association with spicules. Our results suggest that heating and strong flows play an important role in maintaining the substructure of loop fans, in addition to the waves that permeate this low coronal environment., Comment: 9 pages, 5 figures