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A.G. Kosovichev (Stanford University), V.V. Zharkova (Glasgow University)
We report on direct observations of magnetic energy release in solar flares using Michelson Doppler Imager (MDI) instrument on SOHO spacecraft. Continuous monitoring a solar active region in May 1998 with high-quality magnetograms taken every minute has allowed us to detect sudden decreases of the magnetic energy of the active region during two moderate-class flares. The most rapid energy release occurred near the maxima of the flare soft X-ray emission recorded by the GOES satellite. After the flares the magnetic energy of the active region is restored to nearly preflare values. We have also detected irreversible changes in the magnetic energy distribution for this and other active regions during solar flares.