The rate of rainfall expressed in millimetres per hour (mm/hr). It describes how fast rain falls during a storm event.
The maximum rainfall intensity recorded over any 30-minute period during a storm. Expressed in mm/hr. This is a key parameter in soil erosion prediction.
The energy delivered by raindrops to the soil surface. Calculated from rainfall intensity using empirical equations such as Brown & Foster (1987), Wischmeier & Smith (1978), or McGregor & Mutchler (1976).
The product of total storm kinetic energy (E) and maximum 30-minute intensity (I30). It quantifies the erosive power of a rainfall event:
EI30 = E x I30
The ability of rainfall to cause soil erosion. Higher erosivity means greater potential for detaching and transporting soil particles.
Rainfall data recorded at irregular or regular time intervals where each record represents the depth of rain (mm) that fell during that interval.
An empirical model used to estimate average annual soil loss from a field. EI30 is the rainfall erosivity factor (R factor) in the USLE.
An improved version of the USLE incorporating updated equations and additional factors for better soil loss prediction accuracy.
The study of water movement, distribution, and quality in the environment. Rainfall intensity and erosivity are key inputs in hydrological modeling.
Brown, L.C. and Foster, G.R. (1987). Storm erosivity using idealized intensity distributions. Transactions of the ASAE, 30(2), 379-386.
Wischmeier, W.H. and Smith, D.D. (1978). Predicting rainfall erosion losses. USDA Agricultural Handbook, No. 537.
McGregor, K.C. and Mutchler, C.K. (1976). Status of the R factor in northern Mississippi. Soil Erosion: Prediction and Control, 135-142.