Good rain is usually welcome after a long dry spell. But when soils are dry and hard, rainwater can quickly become a hazard and lead to flash flooding.
A scientist from the University of Reading in England shared about hisYoutube channel, a unique water experiment he conducted that shows how water is absorbed in different soils. As climate change makes droughts and extreme weather events more likely, this phenomenon is likely to become more frequent. Here’s how it works.
“It demonstrates the problem that parched soil has a hard time soaking up water”
Rob Thompson, who conducted the experiment, said “this demonstrates the problem that parched soil has a hard time absorbing water“as the site relates Futura Planet. Experience shows that water infiltrates damp grass, grass that has been exposed to normal summer conditions, and grass that has been exposed to extremely hot temperatures. Water penetrates wet grass almost immediately, but parched soil barely absorbs water.
“Wet grass takes 9 seconds, wet grass (more like normal in the summer) takes 52 seconds and dry grass (most this year) seemed like it should take at least 15 minutes…but I got bored“Thompson said on YouTube.
A tweet from the university says the experiment helps show why heavy rains could potentially be dangerous and lead to flash flooding after a severe drought.
In this experiment Dr Rob Thompson of @UniRdg_Met shows just how long it takes water to soak into parched ground, illustrating why heavy rainfall after a #drought can be dangerous and might lead to flashfloods. @R0b1et
Some netizens and scientists have raised that the experiment may be rigged due to the air between the glass in the first image and the grass, as this allows water to flow faster. Experience remains a telling example that allows everyone to realize how flash floods work in heavy rains on dry soils. Totally impermeable, without aeration, and hard as marble: the floors are incapable of absorbing water, which inevitably leads to runoff and flooding.
With the climate change, experts believe this trend will only increase, with more intense storms expected to occur due to global warming. Hydrologists and engineers are struggling to understand how best to adapt to this situation, particularly by modeling flood events and development trends to increase resilience in urban and rural settings.