A physical process in which a highly stretched or twisted magnetic field can rapidly relax to a less-stressed configuration, thereby releasing stored energy. The process is somewhat analogous to cutting a stretched or twisted rubber band. The concept was introduced to explain solar flares, but is now understood as a more general process that couples magnetic fields and plasmas. Magnetic reconnection can also change how magnetic fields are connected; for example, magnetic reconnection between the Earth’s and the interplanetary magnetic fields creates magnetic field lines that link the Earth to interplanetary space and ultimately the Sun.