Evolution of flux rope center and vertical dimension for erupting cases σ ∈ {1, 1.25, 1.5, 2} due to magnetic reconnection. Top panel: Height evolution of the flux rope center, y_frc. Middle panel: Vertical length of the flux rope, Δ y_fr. Bottom panel: Inflow Alfvén Mach number, M_A. The time axis is expressed as Δ t = t − t_fr, relative to the onset of flux rope formation, t_fr. All curves in the current figure terminate before the formation of their first plasmoids.