1. The bright solar feature shown in the picture is a solar flare.
A solar flare lasts for few minutes to an hour. When magnetic energy which is built up suddenly releases, a bright flare can be observed. This event may not cause loss of mass but large amount of electromagnetic radiation is emitted. A sudden rise in brightness can be observed.
2. The layer of the Sun that is responsible for Solar flares is Photosphere.
It is the atmosphere of Sun. It has granules of plasma and cooler regions called sunspots.