asked 154k views
2 votes
Why do hydrophobic soils promote debris flows and flooding in regions recently burned by wildfires?

asked
User Mtkilic
by
8.3k points

1 Answer

4 votes

Answer:

Hydrophobic soils promote debris flows and flooding in regions recently burned by wildfires because the heat of the fire causes a synthetic waxy coating to form on the soil particles, reducing the soil's ability to absorb water. As a result, when a rainstorm passes through the area, water cannot be absorbed and instead accumulates on the surface, leading to flooding and debris flows.

Step-by-step explanation:

answered
User Seva Titov
by
8.4k points
Welcome to Qamnty — a place to ask, share, and grow together. Join our community and get real answers from real people.