1 HEPL A204, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305-4085

2 Physics and Astronomy Dept., University of Glasgow,Glasgow G12 8QQ

Solar flares are the strongest localized seismic disturbances on the solar surface. During the flare impulsive phase a high-energy electron beam heats the chromosphere, resulting in explosive evaporation of chromospheric plasma at supersonic velocities. The momentum of this upward motion is balanced by a radiative shock wave propagating downward. This shock may reach the photosphere and excite seismic waves in the Sun's interior. In addition, the energetic particles may affect the photosphere and subphotospheric layers directly. We present the results of analysis of the radiative shock in the photosphere and the flare seismic waves observed from SOHO/MDI, and compare the observational results with theoretical models of flare gas dynamics and seismic response. Observations of the photospheric and seismic effects provide important information about the properties of energy release in solar flares.