We examine the source regions of the largest prompt solar energetic particle (SEP) events (J_(proton)[>10 MeV] >100 pr/cm~2/s/sr) occurring between 1992 and 2002.We find that the 25 such events originated in a broad spectrum of solar regions,ranging from large complex active regions with delta sunspot groups (e.g.,30 October 1992) to a very weak active region in which the major feature was a large filament that erupted to produce the SEP event (12 September 2000).Most source regions are less than two rotation old.In terms of recent work to identify two types of large SEP events on the basis of composition,spectra,and charge state,we find that large complex active regions can give rise to both types,whereas simple and magnetically weak regions are preferentially linked to one type.
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