Eruption of the double-decker flux rope configuration. Panels a1 –a7: sequence of extended AIA 304 Å images showing the filament and eruption process of the double-decker flux rope configuration. The two filaments and associated brightening before their eruption are denoted by green arrows in panels a1 –a4. The green curves in panels a6 and a7 delineate the twisted threads and the writhed structure of the upper flux rope (FR2). Panel b: corresponding 94 Å image exhibiting the double-decker flux rope configuration in a higher temperature wavelength. The FOV is outlined by the white square in Fig. 1(d). An animation (1.mpg) of the 304 Å and the 94 Å images is available online.