A parallel adaptive 3D MHD scheme for modeling coronal and solar wind plasma flows

A parallel adaptive mesh refinement (AMR) scheme is described for solving t he governing equations of ideal magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) in three space d imensions. This solution algorithm makes use of modern finite-volume numeri cal methodology to provide a combination of high solution accuracy and comp utational robustness. Efficient and scalable implementations of the method have been developed for massively parallel computer architectures and high performance achieved. Numerical results are discussed for a simplified mode l of the initiation and evolution of coronal mass ejections (CMEs) in the i nner heliosphere. The results demonstrate the potential of this numerical t ool for enhancing our understanding of coronal and solar wind plasma proces ses.