We present a new, higher-order, two-dimensional, magnetohydrodynamic model for the detailed internal structure of bubbles produced by the onset of merging along a single subsolar X line. The key feature of the model is to implement a nonlinear filter to postprocess results provided by the pseudospectral element method. The devised nonlinear filter (1) eliminates only the high-frequency oscillations, (2) retains conservation laws, and (3) enforces a total variation diminished criterion to guarantee the elimination of spurious oscillations near discontinuities. For realistic parameters, the model predicts that satellites which remain in the magnetosheath will observe asymmetric bipolar magnetic field signatures normal to the magnetopause, magnetic field strength increases, density and temperature decreases, and velocities opposite the motion of the events. Satellites in the magnetosheath which enter the events observe asymmetric bipolar signatures normal to the magnetopause, magnetic field strength decreases, densities intermediate between those in the magnetosheath and magnetosphere, temperature increases, and velocities in the direction of event motion. Satellites initially located just outside the magnetopause observe greatly depressed densities and enhanced temperatures (but no significant bipolar signatures normal to the magnetopause) followed by velocity jets of magnetosheath-like plasma on northward magnetospheric magnetic field lines. Satellites in the magnetosphere which enter the events observe depressed magnetic field strengths, enhanced densities and temperatures, and accelerated flows surrounding a core region of accelerated magnetosheath-like plasma. Neither they nor satellites which remain in the magnetosphere observe any significant bipolar signatures normal to the nominal magnetopause.¿ 1997 American Geophysical Union