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Infiltration data collected post-Hurricane Maria across landslide source area materials, Puerto Rico, USA

Published by U.S. Geological Survey | Department of the Interior | Metadata Last Checked: January 27, 2026 | Last Modified: 2020-08-21T00:00:00Z
This Data Release includes information to support the characterization of surface/near-surface infiltration rates of selected landslide source area materials following Hurricane Maria across Puerto Rico, USA. The dataset includes comma-delimited measurements of field-saturated hydraulic conductivity (Kfs) collected over two field campaigns (Fall 2018 and Spring 2019) as well as laboratory-derived measurements of soil/saprolite texture. The Kfs experiments were conducted within (or in the vicinity of) landslide source areas across the three primary geologic terranes on the island (Bawiec, 1998), including intrusive, volcaniclastic, and submarine basalt/chert lithologies. Depending on site conditions and the hydrologic conditions of interest, a Soil Moisture Inc. Guelph Permeameter (Soil Moisture, Inc. 2012), Decagon DualHead Infiltrometer (Decagon Devices, Inc. 2016), Decagon Mini-Disk Infiltrometer (Decagon Devices, Inc. 2018), or bottomless bucket approach (Nimmo et al. 2009) was used. Timing, location, and material information are provided for each Kfs measurement. All Kfs measurements (see Kfs-PR.csv) include a field-based texture estimate, and select measurements include quantitative texture estimates based on a Beckman Coulter particle size analyzer (Gee & Or 2002). Dianne Brien, Lindsay Davis, and William Schulz provided invaluable field assistance during this infiltration measurement campaign. Ben Mirus and Eric Jones provided constructive reviews for an earlier version of this Data Release. The following citations relate to this Data Release: Bawiec, W.J. (1998). Geology, Geochemistry, Geophysics, Mineral Occurrences and Mineral Resource Assessment for the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico (Open-File Report 98-38). Reston, VA: U.S. Geological Survey. https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr9838 Beckman Coulter, Inc. (2011). LS 13 32 Laser Diffraction Particle Size Analyzer Operator’s Manual. Brea, CA: Beckman Coulter, Inc. Available at: https://www.beckmancoulter.com/wsrportal/techdocs?docname=B05577AB.pdf Decagon Devices, Inc.; now Meter Environment Group, Inc. (2016). DualHead Infiltrometer Operator’s Manual. Pullman, WA: Decagon Devices, Inc. Available at: http://manuals.decagon.com/Retired%20and%20Discontinued/Manuals/14968_DHInfiltr ometer_Web.pdf Decagon Devices, Inc.; now Meter Environment Group, Inc. (2018). Mini Disk Infiltrometer Operator’s Manual. Pullman, WA: Decagon Devices, Inc. Available at: http://library.metergroup.com/Manuals/10564_Mini%20Disk%20Infiltrometer_Web.pdf Gee G.W., & Or D. (2002). Particle size analysis. In: Dane, J.H., & Topp, G.C. (Eds), Methods of Soil Analysis, Part 4-Physical Methods, Soil Science Society of America Book Series, Volume 5 (pp. 255-293). Madison, WA: Soil Science Society of America. Nimmo, J.R., Schmidt, K.M., Perkins, K.S., & Stock, J.D. (2009). Rapid measurement of field- saturated hydraulic conductivity for areal characterization. Vadose Zone Journal, 8(1), 142-149. https://doi.org/10.2136/vzj2007.0159 Soil Moisture, Inc. (2012). 2800K1 Guelph Permeameter Operating Instructions. Santa Barbara, CA: Soil Moisture, Inc. Available at: https://www.soilmoisture.com

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