Recent advances in solar coronal extreme ultraviolet waves

Solar coronal extreme ultraviolet (EUV) waves are spectacular propagating disturbances in the appearance of EUV emission enhancements in the solar corona, similar to the tsunamis on the Earth. These ‘solar tsunamis’ are closely associated with various solar eruptions, from large-scale coronal mass ejections (CMEs) and solar flares to small-scale solar jets. Interestingly, the existence of EUV waves was predicted by the detection of the chromospheric propagating disturbances, i.e. Moreton waves, based on the generally believed theory that Moreton waves are the chromospheric imprints of coronal shocks/waves. Benefiting from EUV observations from generations of space-borne telescopes, the EUV wave has been currently best interpreted in a bimodal/hybrid composition of an outer, fast-mode magnetosonic front and an inner, non-wave CME structure, after a vigorous debate on the physical nature between true magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) waves and ‘pseudo-waves’. However, some important issues of EUV waves are still controversial, e.g. their trigger mechanisms and their relationship with Moreton waves. This article on EUV waves first reviews the previous achievements, then summarizes the recent advances in observations and simulations and finally provides some prospects for future research.