  We present results from numerical modeling of emerging flux regions on the
solar surface. The modeling was carried out by means of 3D radiative MHD
simulations of the rise of buoyant magnetic flux tubes through the convection
zone and into the photosphere. Due to the strong stratification of the
convection zone, the rise results in a lateral expansion of the tube into a
magnetic sheet, which acts as a reservoir for small-scale flux emergence events
at the scale of granulation. The interaction of the convective downflows and
the rising magnetic flux undulates it to form serpentine field lines emerging
into the photosphere. Observational characteristics including the pattern of
emerging flux regions, the cancellation of surface flux and associated high
speed downflows, the convective collapse of photospheric flux tubes, the
appearance of anomalous darkenings, the formation of bright points and the
possible existence of transient kilogauss horizontal fields are discussed in
the context of new observations from the Hinode Solar Optical Telescope.
Implications for the local helioseismology of emerging flux regions are also
discussed.
