Explosive events are highly‐dynamic, small‐scale phenomena commonly observed in spectra of transition zone lines. Their velocities are near 100 km s−1, sizes near 1500 km, and time scales near 60 s. They occur at a height of 1000–2000 km, below typical transition zone structures. It has been demonstrated that some explosive events are caused by emerging magnetic flux and there is good evidence to indicate that the great majority are related to magnetic flux cancellation. The most probable mechanism for their generation is magnetic reconnection. The characteristics of explosive events and flux cancellation taken together show that magnetic reconnection in the quiet sun apparently proceeds readily in rapid bursts along the neutral line separating opposite flux elements that are convected together by photospheric flows.