2013ApJ...773..160W

The electron gas inside a neutron star is highly degenerate and relativistic. Due to electron-electron magnetic interactions, the differential susceptibility can equal or exceed one, which causes the magnetic system of the neutron star to become metastable or unstable. The Fermi liquid of nucleons under the crust can be in a metastable state, while the crust is unstable to the formation of layers of alternating magnetization. The change of the magnetic stress acting on adjacent domains can result in a series of shifts or fractures in the crust. The release of magnetic free energy and elastic energy in the crust can cause the bursts observed in magnetars. Simultaneously, a series of shifts or fractures in the deep crust that is close to the Fermi liquid of nucleons can trigger a phase transition of the Fermi liquid of nucleons from a metastable state to a stable state. The magnetic free energy released in the Fermi liquid of nucleons corresponds to the giant flares observed in some magnetars.